IICATURAL. HISTORY. 



No BRANCH of human learning is more intimately con- peculiarly serviceable or injurious to man, are the most 

 nected with the other sciences, tiian that of Natural His- worthy of notice, and most likely to interest the observer, 

 tory, and none presents so inexhaustible a fund of inquiry In attempting this, we shall not proceed in any regular 

 and amusement. Placed as we are, in the midst of the or systematic order, or adhere to any system of classifica- 

 multiplied productions of nature, it is almost impossible tion in the arrangement of the subjects. But at the same 

 even for the most unobservant, to avoid becoming more or time, the most sedulous attention will be paid to their syno- 

 less familiar with the manners of animals, the economy of nomy and scientific description; and we shall strive to ex- 

 vegetables, and the general phenomena of the earth. From plain their characters with as much simplicity, elegance of 

 an acquaintance with these, manifold advantages have al- expression, and certainty of information, as we can possi- 

 ready accrued to man, and it is but reasonable to suppose bly attain. We, however, are far from considering, that 

 that a more intimate knowledge of them will greatly increase the study of nature consists in the acquirement of words, 

 the comfort and enjoyment of the whole human race. The the retention of names, or even the accurate description of 

 agriculturist is obliged to acquaint himself with the habits species; under the present elevated views of science, these 

 and characters of the domesticated animals he employs, are esteemed but subsidiary steps. A prejudiced adherence 

 with the qualities of the soil he cultivates, with the nature to mere nomenclature, as is forcibly observed by a late dis- 

 of the grain he raises, and with the effects of different me- tinguished writer, "shuts the door to all further improve- 

 teorological changes. Even the fine arts, though generally ment, and has impressed naturalists with an idea, that the 

 considered as peculiarly appertaining to the domain of the highest object to be obtained, is to label the contents of a 

 imagination, greatly depend upon a knowledge of Natural museum, and to arrange stuffed animals like quaint patterns 

 History. A science, which when taken in its full extent, in glass cases." We would not wish it to be understood, 

 is so intimately connected with all our pursuits and pleas- however, that we consider nomenclature and scientific ar- 

 ures, forming, in fact, the basis of the other sciences, and rangement as useless or beneath the notice of a philosophic 

 far more useful than any for the ordinary purposes of life, naturalist; far from it; experience has amply demonstrated 

 can never be too generally or too industriously cultivated, that a neglect of these must necessarily involve the sciences 

 Supposing that the study of animated nature is far more in an almost inextricable confusion, and retard, instead of 

 engaging to the generalitv of readers, and leaving the exa- facilitating the acquisition of knowledge, 

 mination of plants and minerals to the botanist and geologist; 



we shall endeavour in the succeeding sketches of our native We do not aim at originality, but shall freely avail our- 



animals, to present such only, as from their holding a more selves of the labours of our predecessors, adding, however, 



eminent rank among the brute creation, or from their being such new and interesting matter as we may become pos- 

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