2 INTRODUCTION. 



with the world, whereas the wonders of Na- 

 ture display the power of the Almighty in 

 the most agreeable and tranquil manner. 



" Go, mark the matchless workings of the Power 

 That shuts within the seed the future flower ; 

 Bids these in elegance of form excel, 

 In colour these, and those delight the smell ; 

 Sends Nature forth, the daughter of the skies, 

 To dance on earth and charm all human eyes." 



Cowper. 



Ray says, " No knowledge can be more 

 pleasant to the soul than Natural History : 

 none so satisfying, or that doth so feed the 

 mind. The treasures of Nature are inex- 

 haustible : there is enough for the most inde- 

 fatigable industry, the happiest opportunities, 

 the most prolix and undisturbed vacancies/' 



The vegetable world presents an almost 

 infinite variety of objects, calculated not only 

 to supply our numerous wants, but to gratify 

 the senses, to delight the most refined taste, 

 and to elevate the mind to the God of 

 Nature. 



" Thus the men 



Whom Nature's work can charm, with God himself 

 Hold converse, grow familiar day by day 

 With his conceptions ; sit upon his plan, 

 And form to his the relish of their souls." 



Ak en side's Pleasures of' Imagination* 



