PEEFACE 



My sole object in writing this work was to inspire 

 and extend to the utmost of my j)ower a taste for 

 natural science. 



It is not a learned treatise, but a simple elemen- 

 tary study, conceived with the idea of inducing the 

 reader to seek in other works for more extensive 

 and more profound knowledge. 



I should feel pleased were this study to be 

 looked upon as the peristyle of the temple in 

 w^hich lie hidden the mysterious splendours of 

 Nature, and if it were the means of inspiring 

 some with a desire to penetrate into the sanctuary 

 itself, and uplift the veil which conceals them. 



By the title which I have adopted, my intention 

 was merely to indicate that I had gathered from 

 creation at large, often contrasting the smallest of 

 its productions with the mightiest. 



I have gleaned everywhere, to show that Nature 



