2 '>* \ /''*; f - I^IRODUCTION. 



great is the daily havoc made among fishes ! they are the prey of each 

 other : the Cachalot, the Grampus, the Porpoise, the Otter, and the Seal, 

 devour them in multitudes : thousands of oceanic birds find in them 

 their natural aliment, whilst man draws them by shoals from the deep ; 

 such, however, is their astonishing fecundity, that all these losses are duly 

 repaired. The number of eggs in the roe of the Codfish has been calculated 

 to be 3,686,760, of the Flounder 1,357,400, of the Herring 36,960, 

 of the Mackarel 546,680, of the Smelt 38,280, of the Sole 100,360, of 

 the Tench 383,250. Of an increase by numbers like these no examples 

 exist among the higher classes of vertebrata, viz., Birds and Mam- 

 malia : still, the law of the balance of increase and decrease is not the 

 less established among them : hence we justly conclude, that each part of 

 the creation depends upon another ; and though, at a slight glance, all may 

 seem confusion, it will be found, upon mature reflection, that order and 

 a due equipoise of parts are the results of a scheme equally well adapted 

 and wisely ordained. 



On the advantages attending the study of Natural History, it is super- 

 fluous to enlarge. So many animals are directly or indirectly subser- 

 vient to the necessities, pleasures, or luxuries of man, from so many 

 does he experience direct or indirect injuries, that a knowledge of them 

 is almost indispensable to his existence : .our table, our dress, our house- 

 hold furniture, and a variety of conveniences which we enjoy, will remind 

 us, if we reflect for a moment, of a multitude of animals, which, in one 

 way or other, are essential to our comfort ; and we may with equal ease 

 form a catalogue of such as, on the contrary, are injurious to our welfare. 

 But, leaving out of the question the necessity thus imposed upon us, 

 of gaining a general knowledge of natural objects, we may observe, 

 that the study of natural history is peculiarly fitted for strengthening 

 and enlarging the mind : it disciplines the memory, it demands the 

 exercise of patient investigation, it enforces an attention to minutiae, it 

 leads us to detect differences, where none but the practised eye would 

 perceive them, and to trace out analogies, or affinities, which reflec- 

 tion alone can discover : its aim is truth ; and so far it must be a 

 noble and exalted pursuit. If to correct the imagination, and strengthen 

 the powers of reason, be among the advantages attending the study of 

 the exact sciences, not less beneficial are the results attending the study of 

 Nature. Yet, independently of this consideration, Nature holds out other 

 motives to excite our interest ; she asserts her intrinsic value, and, while 

 claiming our admiration of her work, speaks of unerring wisdom and 

 almighty power. 



To every man, whose heart is well attuned, whose feelings are pure and 

 undebased, Nature presents 'a thousand charms : at every step she de- 

 lights him with new wonders, she invites him to acquaintance, and well 



