2 INTRODUCTION. 



Has bestowed upon us the gift of intellect, the} 7 are en- 

 dowed with sagacity, or strength ; and so great is the 

 similitude in the formation of our bodies, that we might 

 be termed animals erected on the hinder legs. 



This resemblance between man and beasts, though it 

 may degrade the body, should elevate the mind, and 

 point out the folly of personal arrogance, when we reflect 

 that our form bears affinity to a brute's. Man's supe- 

 riority consists in virtue, and of that possession he may 

 well be vain; there he enjoys that pre-eminent distinc- 

 tion, which raises him above every other tribe. — Leav- 

 ing man to the possession of that superiority which 

 the benevolent Author of his being lias designed, I 

 shall examine into the life of those inferior animals, who, 

 like him, were formed for some important use. 



In taking a general survey of Nature, the mind ex- 

 pands at the important sight, and becomes lost in con- 

 templating the wondrous power of Him who could en- 

 dow such myriads with life! Not only the forest, air, 

 and waters teem with animals of various kinds, but al- 

 most every vegetable and leaf has millions of minute 

 inhabitants, some of which are found objects of the 

 greatest curiosity. In this seeming exuberance of Ani- 

 mated Nature, ignorance might lie down in hopeless 

 uncertainty, and declare that what required such an 

 immensity of labour to search out, must absolutely be 

 inscrutable: But, with the active investigating mind r 

 difficulties are calculated to create exertion ; and it be- 

 gins its task by numbering, grouping, and classing all 

 the various kinds that fall within its notice. 



Method is one of the first requisites to be. observed in. 

 Natural History, and without it very little progress can 

 "be made, for it is by that alone we can hope to dissipate 

 the glare which naturally arises from a multitude of ob- 



