OF NATURAL HISTORY. 1;^^ 



The globe we inhabit, as well as the innumerable and llupendous 

 heavenly bodies which prefent themfelves, in forms apparently mi- 

 nute to our obiervation, conftantly exhibit motions of the mod: in- 

 conceivable rapidity. The magnitude of this eartli, when confider- 

 ed with relation to man, and other animals, appears to be exceed- 

 ingly great. It is indeed fufficiently fpacious, and fufEciently pro- 

 lific, for the conveniency and maintenance of its inhabitants. The 

 magnificent objeds difplayed on its furface excite the admiration of 

 every beholder. Its plains and mountains, its rivers and lakes, its 

 iflands and continents, its feas and oceans, continually follicit atten- 

 tion, gratify curiofity, and call forth the powers of reafon and re- 

 fledtion. But, when compared to the other heavenly bodies, the 

 number and magnitude of which exceed all the powers of human 

 conception, the grandeur of our earth diminifhes. Inftead of ex- 

 citing wonder, it almoft vaniflies from our fight. Inftead of an im- 

 menfe globe, it dwindles into a point, feems to occupy no fpace, and 

 lofes itfelf in the boundlefs regions of the univerfe. Confiderations 

 of this kind are apt to deprefs the dignity of man, and to leflen his 

 Importance in the great fcale of being ; but they expand his mental 

 faculties, and exalt his ideas concerning that Inconceivable Power 

 which firft produced, and ftill fupports, thofe aftonifliing orbs. 



The different movements to which animals are ftlmulated by the 

 defire of food, by love, by the appetite for frolic and exercife, by 

 their hoftilities, and by other exciting caufes, give animation and vi- 

 vacity to the whole fcene of nature. A filent and motionlefs pro- 

 fpedt, however beautiful and variegated, foon ceafes to pleafe, and at 

 laft becomes infupportable. Motion, fays Mr Harris, is the objedt 

 or caufe of all fenfation. In mufic we hear it ; in favours we taftc 

 it ; in odors we fmell it j in touch, we feel it 5 in light we fee it, 



Animafe* 



