ESSAYS AND PAPERS. 



OBSERVATIONS ON NATURAL HISTORY. 



Introduction to Natural History. 



UlTB, ideas of the first formation of the world, of the production and 

 distinctions of vegetables and animals, and of the alteration which has 

 taken place in the course of time, can only arise from observation on 

 the present state, or from history, of things. 



As to History, the Sacred Writings, which are probably some of the 

 earliest, give us an account of the beginning of the world and its pro- 

 ductions. But as Moses derives his authority from powers we cannot 

 admit into natural causes and effects, we must leave the first formation 

 of things, and take them up as formed. 



However, if we were to take up this subject as it now appears, and 

 apply that to what is past, we should deceive ourselves, for time is 

 continually producing changes. 



It must be confessed that in Moses' account of the beginning of the 

 world and its productions there is something classical or scientific ; for 

 he divides the labours of the Six Days very naturally. The first two 

 days were employed in the formation of the globe, and everything 

 relating to it. Then on the third day the earth brought forth grass, 

 &c, yielding seed of its own kind. On the fifth day the waters brought 

 forth fish and fowl ; and on the sixth day the earth brought forth the 

 beasts of the earth ; and last of all Man was formed. Now this is a 

 natural rise or progression from the most imperfect to the most perfect. 



Moses has been [more] particular in his account of Man than of any 

 of the other creatures ; but, from him, it would appear that only one 

 Man was formed in the supernatural way he describes. Yet, from the 

 history, we are naturally led to suppose that there were more, either 

 produced, or existing at that time, as Cain went to another part of the 



