46 THE CHRISTIAN NATURALIST. 



The ascent and descent of the clouds, and their 

 general formation, are greatly influenced, as is evident, 

 from numerous experiments, by the electric fluid. The 

 discorery of the barometer, and of the great principle 

 that the air of the atmosphere is a combination of two 

 gases. Oxygen and Nitrogen, may well be considered 

 as among the happiest and most brilliant efforts of 

 modern genius. But although some of the general 

 principles which regulate the phenomena of Meteorology 

 are thus better understood than in ancient times, this 

 science is one in which man must be content to obtain 

 but a glimpse of the ways of God. Nature's labora- 

 tory is on too gigantic a scale to be imitated by the 

 pigmy experiments of man. An angel's eye, and an 

 angel's hand would be required to work the vast machine, 

 which could alone unravel the operations of those mighty 

 laws which regulate the changes of the atmosphere, 

 and teach us how to know ** the balancings of the 

 clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect 

 in knowledge.'* A single glance at the sublime 

 phraseology used respecting this branch of science in 



or snow, for the refreshment of those very plants, and the 

 replenishment of those very waters, from which this moisture 

 is in the first instance taken. — See Mudie on the Air, an inte- 

 resting work on these subjects. 



