INTRODUCTION. 



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attention to the live-box, in which one tiny drop of water, 

 not larger than a very small pea, disclosed the presence 

 of myriads of living things, many requiring a magnifying 

 power of a million superficies to reveal the mystery of 

 their tiny lives; or, turning to that marvel of creation, 

 the skeleton of one of the smallest of plants, the Arach- 

 noidiscus, showing upwards of a thousand markings on its 

 spider-web face, attention was directed to the perfection 

 of the Architect, then, what notes of exclamation ! 



Arachnoidiscus, drawn from nature. 



These contrasts in nature bring with them, to a 

 devout mind, the strongest evidence of the power and 

 majesty of Him with whom we have to do, who, most 

 wonderful of all revelation, has condescended to describe 

 Himself as " our Father ; " but, alas ! how different is the 

 experience of too many in the exercise of the same 

 privilege ! One whom I know has lately told me his ex- 

 perience in working with the microscope. He is, he says, 

 getting tired of his work. If he has for his companions 

 in study any more advanced than himself, they only 



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