PREFACE. 



require more time than can be spared from other classical 

 studies, and it comprises a host of details useful only to 

 those who are desirous of devoting themselves especially 

 to it. What every well-educated young man ought to 

 know is, not. the characteristics which distinguish this or 

 that genus of plants or animals from another genus, nor 

 the exact course of every nerve, or every artery in the 

 human body: to charge his memory with such details, 

 would subject him to labour which would be neither useful 

 nor durable in its results ; but what he ought to possess, 

 are sound views on all the great questions the solution of 

 which pertains to the province of the natural sciences ; 

 those on the constitution of the earth, and the physical revo- 

 lutions that have taken place on its surface ; on the manner 

 in which the functions of all creatures are performed, and 

 the principal modifications observed in their structure, ac- 

 cording to the kind of life for which they have been des- 

 tined. This extent of information, once acquired, would 

 not be soon forgotten ; and it is enough for those whose 

 occupations are not closely connected with these sciences. 

 All who desire to become naturalists must acquire, not 

 only these principles, but also an accurate knowledge of 

 the details alluded to above. 



Such are the opinions of M. Edwards, the eminent 

 French naturalist. I am sure the propagation of these 

 opinions in our country will advance its interests. To the 

 science of agriculture, natural history, properly taught, is 

 of great importance, because it teaches us the structure of 

 animals, the mode of their existence, and what is essential 

 to their life. This knowledge enables us to treat their 

 diseases with a better prospect of success, and to destroy 

 those animals which are injurious to our interests. Of the 

 value of geology in teaching us the nature of the earth's 

 surface, there is not less doubt. 



It ought not to be urged against the study of natural 



