THE BEAUTIES AND WONDERS 

 OF 



NATURE AND SCIENCE. 



" There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, 

 Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." 



Hamlet. 



The Editor of the following pages has culled a few of Nature s gems, 

 but claims only the string that binds them ; from the unbounded mine of 

 Creation's wonders, he has selected a few of the most prominent, as 

 affording only a sample of infinite wisdom and goodness ; to mention all, 

 would require a library. As a fitting accompaniment, he has added 

 some of the brightest conceptions of man's vast ingenuity, which he has 

 endeavoured to describe, faintly, but truly. 



To trace with minuteness, or follow in any manner that could be 

 said to approach to fidelity of description, the mighty progress of science 

 within the last half century, would be a gigantic task, which the Editor 

 has neither attempted nor pretented to have accomplished. To follow in 

 its wake, at a very humble distance, has been to him a pleasure and 

 duty ; and if his labours induce but one inquiring mind to participate in 

 that pleasure, his purpose will be gained his utmost wishes realized. 

 At the very threshold of science, many, too many, "shrink back 

 affrighted ;" these pages, it is hoped, will prove, that if it is not wholly 

 " a path of primrose dalliance," it is, at least, free from those difficulties 

 which it is usually imagined environ it. 



Like the Trumpeter in the Fable, if he did not fight himself, he has 

 blown the pas de charge to other's valor ; let us hope that he may be 

 permitted to join in the Te Dcum of victory. 



Where all is beautiful, it is difficult to select the brightest, yet the 

 Editor trusts that he has neglected nothing which could in any way 

 increase his reader's store of intelligence and pleasure. 



He also takes the opportunity of returning his best acknowledgments 

 to several talented friends, who have enriched the work with the results 

 of their researches. 



