18 INTRODUCTION. 



who follow them from disappointment and ennui, or 

 are of that nature that they can be carried on in 

 every possible situation, without prejudice or incon- 

 venience to others ! The pursuit of Natural History 

 is itself a relief from ennui, and from many of the 

 unavoidable anxieties to which the human mind is 

 exposed. There have been persons, who have been 

 forced to keep residence in -some of the most deso- 

 late spots on this globe, and who have declared that 

 it was the study of Nature alone which made their 

 condition tolerable. How well then must this study 

 be calculated to augment our happiness in more 

 favoured climes, like our own! We are not sur- 

 prised, indeed, at some men not becoming professed 

 observers ; but sure we are that those whose inclina- 

 tions lead them that way, have an enviable advan- 

 tage over others. They have always a resource to 

 turn to, for the purpose either of filling up those 

 leisure hours, which hang so heavily upon many, or 

 of diverting the mind from anxious and oppressive 

 thoughts. 



(13.) It is, indeed, to be regretted that there are 

 not more observers than there are. Though all can- 

 not become such, there are surely very many who 

 might, and who in this way would add greatly to 

 their usefulness as well as happiness. We speak not 

 of professional men, whose time is necessarily en- 

 grossed by business, or avocations, which could not be 

 neglected for scientific pursuits. But it is lament- 

 able to think, as an excellent author has observ- 

 ed, how many " waste a whole life, without ever 

 being once well awake in it, passing through the 



