COMMON OBJECTS OF THE SHORE. 329 



to be seen, comprised not more than a fortieth 

 part of its entire substance. To this was attached 

 a portion of one of the ciliary bands, by means of 

 which this fragment of the animal moved rapidly, 

 so long as any remains of it were visible in the 

 water. 



The enthusiasm with which observations like 

 these are made and described, is easily partaken by 

 such as have an eye for the beauties and wonders 

 of nature. The utilitarian smiles at such pursuits, 

 and valuing science but as it may contribute to 

 the promotion of wealth or of physical comfort, 

 would deem an hour idly spent in watching the 

 structure of an animal under a microscope. Yet 

 these minute wonders were made by the God who 

 formed the sun and stars, and who inspired the 

 records of Sacred Writ ; and if they fix on our 

 minds one fresh idea of his power and goodness, 

 we have not looked on them idly. There are many, 

 too, who receive exquisite enjoyment in such 

 pursuits, and some now pining in sadness, and con- 

 sumed by the one painful idea of the past or the 

 present, might be cheered, could they but be once 

 awakened to an interest in natural history. The 

 poet could appreciate and describe the feelings 

 belonging to the lover of nature : 



" One made acquaintanceship with plants and flowers, 

 And happy grew by telling all their names ; 

 One class'd the quadrupeds, a third the fowls, 

 Another found in minerals his joy ; 

 And I have seen a man, a worthy man, 

 In happy mood conversing with a fly ; 

 And as he through his glass, made by himself, 

 Beheld its wondrous eye and plumage fine, 

 From leaping scarce be kept for perfect joy." 



