IV PREFACE. 



But in a climate so variable as that of Britain, 

 changes of season are attended with as much 

 difference in the appearances and habits of natural 

 objects as changes of scene ; and, therefore, in- 

 stead of introducing the subject in detached parts, 

 it has been thought better to give, in this volume, 

 a very slight general glance at the natural history 

 of the year, as affected by the motions of the earth 

 and the changing actions of the sun and moon. 

 That part of the subject is not very easily treated, 

 without more technicality than is consistent with 

 the plan of a work, the express objects of which 

 are plainness and simplicity. But it is hoped 

 that, with the assistance of the plate and the 

 explanation, the subject will not be wholly un- 

 intelligible to those who are not conversant with 

 descriptive and physical astronomy ; and those who 

 are so conversant, will readily find an excuse for 

 the imperfection of a little sketch of that, which 

 they themselves must have learned through the 

 study of many profound and elaborate volumes. 



From their greater powers of locomotion, the 

 birds are the best animated indexes to the seasons, 

 and, therefore, more space has been given to them 



