106 ATMOSPHERIC EXPERIMENTS. 



probably subservient to the existence of each other : 

 the minute creature that floats an hardly percep- 

 tible atom in the water of the ditch, and which 

 subsists many of the animals which inhabit those 

 places, feeds upon smaller than itself, and those 

 again, possibly, upon more minute ones which the 

 vegetable infusions of those places give existence 

 to : here the investigation terminates, but the thread 

 unbroken continues, probably through endless gra- 

 dations^ perceptible to infinity alone. 



Having applauded the operations of Nature with 

 so much cordiality, possibly I may be called her 

 " enthusiastic adorer," but the epithet must be 

 disclaimed. None can respect the works of creation 

 more, but 'tis not with an ecstacy that glows, fades, 

 and expires, but with a calm deep-rooted convic- 

 tion implanted in the boy, and increased by years 

 of notice and experience. I have followed her 

 footsteps, though far, very far distant, as an humble 

 admirer of perfection, nor can my veneration cease 

 whilst reason continues undisturbed. 



Sept. 8th, 1828. A remarkable dry and ex- 

 hausting day, not from any peculiar influence of 

 the solar heat, but from the arid state of the air, 

 which was very distressing to our feelings, and all 

 tender vegetation became languid and suffering 



