PREFACE. 



THE unspeakable importance of the study of 

 Nature, when properly directed, and the almost 

 unlimited extent of the phenomena which it 

 embraces, as well as of the enquiries to which 

 these phenomena give rise, and of the illustra- 

 tions by which they are explained, seem to ren- 

 der any apology for the publication of the follow- 

 ing pages altogether unnecessary. 



It is true that the Author only follows in the 

 track of others ; but it will scarcely be alleged, 

 that a field so wide is already preoccupied, or 

 that the number of labourers is too great. He 

 assumes not the character of a rival, desirous to 

 supplant ; but of an humble coadjutor, willing 

 to lend his feeble efforts to so good a cause, 

 happy if he shall, in any degree, contribute to 

 kindle or to foster, in the ingenuous mind, a de- 

 sire to become better acquainted with the won- 

 ders of creation ; and, in these wonders, to read 

 more clearly the perfections of the great Creator. 



