H'lLOTHURIA. 17 



CHAPTER I. 



ECHINODERMATA. 



TIIK peculiar object of the present treatise, is to render some of the 

 natural productions of Scotland more familar to its inhabitants, and 

 Mter understood than they have been hitherto. 



Knthusiasm in favour of our native soil, and of our favourite pursuits, 

 may kindle a glow which warms us into undue partiality for certain sub- 



. above their true importance in literature and their value to man- 

 kind. \Ve may thus rate them too highly, and dwell on them too long. 

 If so, let us appeal to the liU-ral for indulgence of an innocent weakness. 



But, to penetrate the history of creatures so far removed from our- 

 selves as the humbler tribes of the creation, is an arduous task. Until 

 tin- more recent investigations of science, few have adventured on it. 

 Such living truants of the globe have been scarcely acknowledged as the 

 Divine works ; many were beheld with contempt, some with abhorrence, 

 all were neglected. 



Vet the inquisitive student of Nature in not to be discouraged in 



rdent tliirst for knowledge. What although he has to ascend rocks 

 and mountains, to dip into cavities of the earth, or to explore the depths 

 of the ocean, if he is rewarded by the fruits of research. It is the pe- 

 rishable condition of life he has more seriously to contend with. He 

 inii-t find a safe and salubrious abode for his objects ; he must ascertain 

 their proper sustenance, and avert their enemies. He must replace the 

 loflB he sustains by casualties, by accident, disease, and death ; thence 

 multiplvini; his observations by unwearied diligence, until the solution 



c 



