PREFACE. 



IN the present enlightened era, the study 

 of Natural History is so generally appreciated 

 as to require little in its commendation or 

 defence. It forms the basis of the most 

 interesting and useful researches, and is con- 

 nected in a greater or less degree with almost 

 every pursuit of philosophy. 



But independently of its importance in 

 augmenting the store of our knowledge, and 

 elucidating other branches of science, it is 

 highly advantageous in affording intellectual 

 employment of an innocent and useful kind. 

 The powers of the mind become torpid with- 

 out stimulus, and decay without employ- 

 ment. And to those, whose situation and 

 rank in life preclude the necessity of ordi- 

 nary business, the researches of nature afford 

 mental excitement combined with interest 

 and delight. Unlike the gratifications of the 

 sensualist and the dissipations of the gay, 

 its pleasures are rational and pure. It leaves 

 no painful remembrance, it induces no feel- 

 ings of remorse ; its effects are neither the 

 ruin of bodily health, nor the depravation 



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