TO TEACHERS AND STUDENTS. vii 



every school, if possible, should be furnished with a museum of instruction, 

 that is, a collection containing the types of all the genera, that the student 

 may have the opportuity of comparing them with their oral and written de- 

 scriptions. In this way only can one become a thorough naturalist. Though 

 this is not the object of every one, still all should possess sufficient know- 

 ledge of the subject, to understand the principles upon which the objects of 

 nature are arranged for the purpose of convenient and advantageous study. 



If the reader of these observations will reflect upon them, and decide for 

 himself upon their general truth, he will not think it expedient or profitable 

 to withhold books even from those students of physical science who have ^he 

 opportunity of listening to the most accomplished lecturers, nor will he, I 

 think, be of opinion, that Natural History can be best taught, and to " begin- 

 ners especially," " without the use of any book, whatever, except the book 

 of nature and its visible illustrations." 







