362 RAMBLES OF A NATURALIST. 



its contemplation both animal structures and that 

 unknown agent which we term life, at once stimu- 

 lates our reasoning powers and elevates our moral 

 aspirations, and thus satisfies all the requirements of 

 our double nature. And it is no doubt owing to the 

 fact of this science appealing simultaneously to our 

 intellectual and moral instincts that it exerts so 

 powerful an influence over those who devote them- 

 selves in a humble and teachable spirit to its pursuit. 

 In the preceding pages I have already frequently 

 endeavoured to draw attention to the moral and 

 religious ascendency which the study of living beings 

 is calculated to exert over the human mind: and 

 happy indeed shall I esteem myself if anything that 

 I have said may have the effect of leading others to 

 seek in the study of nature for solace amid the 

 harrowing cares of life, or to turn to these ennobling 

 pursuits for a confirmation of their faith, when the 

 black mists of sophistry and scepticism threaten to 

 dim the bright light of truth. Happy, truly happy, 

 shall I be if any words of mine may be the means of 

 leading one wearied spirit to seek for a balm for his 

 wounds, or satisfaction for his wavering belief, in the 

 study of those marvellous and exquisitely beautiful 

 organisms which have their dwelling in the myste- 

 rious world of ocean ! To find that new labourers 

 are pressing forward to take their place in those 

 fields of research from whence I have myself reaped 

 so rich a harvest of pleasure and instruction, will be 

 more than ample compensation to me for the pain 

 it has cost me to retire from the direct pursuit of 



