PREFACE. 



THE object of the writer is to unfold a few 

 pages of the immense and deeply interesting 

 volume of Natural History, relating to those 

 simple, but wonderful forms of life, of which 

 little, as yet, is known. And as the results 

 of scientific observation are often repulsive to 

 the general reader, from the form in which 

 they are given and their numerous technical- 

 ities, he has aimed to render them popular and 

 attractive. 



The inspired truth that " the works of the 

 Lord are great, sought out of all them that 

 have pleasure therein," exerts far too little 

 influence. God has "magnified his word 



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