10 NATURAL HISTORY. 



is called a species. Genera are formed into orders, and orders 

 into classes. ' 



The CHART of which this volume is explanatory, exhibits the 

 "Animal Kingdom " by means of a Tree having four branches, 

 each representing one of the four sub-kingdoms into which it is 

 divided, viz., VERTEBRATES, ARTICULATES, MOLLUSKS and RADI- 

 ATES. Each branch puts forth other branches bearing subdivis- 

 ionsclasses, orders, families, genera, &c., illustrated by nu- 

 merous and appropriate figures, and so variously lettered and 

 marked as to be easily distinguished. It was prepared with 

 great labor, and in the use of much research, in order to facil- 

 itate acquisitions in the department of physical science which it de- 

 lineates and with the hope of thus encouraging a more general in- 

 troduction of the Study of Natural History into our Seminaries ol 

 learning, from the Common School to the College and University. 

 " Man," said Lord Bacon, " is the minister and interpreter of NA- 

 TURE." 



More attention should be given in the domestic circle, and in the 

 various schools of instruction to the business of training the young 

 to be observers of nature. A fondness for the lessons and resear- 

 ches of natural history, implanted in the mind during the period 

 of youth, will, in all probability, last through life, affecting fa- 

 vorably the entire mental development. 



None should neglect the investigations to which by the " View 

 of the Animal Kingdom," they are invited. Such investigations, 

 it should be remembered, pertain neither to fiction nor hypothe- 

 sis but to realities. They seem specially adapted to man's 

 endowments in his present state of existence ; but the facts and 

 impressions which he derived from an earnest contemplation of 

 the works of God, memory will embalm and render immortal. 

 " And as now the memory of home is pleasurable in proportion 

 to the vividness and distinctness of its image ; as we now attach 

 importance to the most insignificant object around the place of 

 our birth ; as we regard with intense interest the old elm, the 

 green lawn, the hawthorn bush, the rivulet because they are in- 

 separably connected with our developments of mind, even so 

 perhaps may we then, after millions of ages shall have elapsed, 

 recall with increasing pleasure the physical scenery of this 

 birth-place of our existence." 



QUESTIONS ON SECTION I. 



ence of Natural History include 



,t are minerals? How are org 



Which belong to Zoology ? Which to Botany ? How do organic bodies 



What does the science of Natural History include? What are its gen- 

 eral divisions ? What are minerals ? How are organic bodies divided ? 



