474 NATURAL HISTORY. 



economy of the universe, animate and inanimate, is 

 everywhere to be traced the evidences of the wisdom, 

 the skill, the benevolence and justice of that great over- 

 ruling Intelligence ' ' who has made ail things, who up- 

 holds all things," and whose works all praise Him. 

 Let the young student, then, in contemplating the whole 

 assemblage which constitutes the perfection of the earth 

 his own curious structure first from the beasts of the 

 forests, the fish of the sea, and birds of the air ; the rep- 

 tiles that live in the dark recesses, the insects that flutter 

 throughout their life's short day in the sunshine, the 

 chambered shells of the ocean caves and odorous flow- 

 ers, the rich mineral and metallic treasures of the earth, 

 recognize in all, for all proclaim it, the prospective be- 

 nevolence of the Great Creator, who thus prepared the 

 world as a fitting residence for His favorite creature, Man. 



