9 



ADVANTAGES OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



I have often been asked by persons who know that I am pursuing 

 the study of Natural History, but who are unacquainted with that study, 

 of what utility is the pursuit of that and similar sciences ? In answer 

 to these inquiries, I think I cannot do better than to transmit to the 

 pages of The Field Naturalist an attempt to give some of the most 

 obvious benefits which arise to mankind from the real study of natural 

 science. In so doing I shall divide these benefits into the direct and 

 indirect : the direct are those which the science has immediately in 

 view ; the indirect are those which, although not sought for, yet very 

 naturally become the consequences of a pursuit of the study. Before, 

 however, proceeding to consider these two principal branches, it will be 

 necessary for us to inquire what are the objects proposed by the study 

 of natural history. 



Natural history is not at present, as it has been, a mere science of 

 words and names. Amongst all the improvements which modern 

 science has gained to herself in this very scientific age, — amongst all 

 the varied aspects which modern literature presents to our wondering 

 gaze, natural history stands pre-eminent. The vivifying influence of a 

 few illustrious men, in a few short years, has raised it from the depths 

 of oblivion to the highest elevation which science can offer to her 

 numerous and aspiring votaries. I do not, I cannot acquiesce in the 

 opinion, although it has been, and still is, supported by some of our 

 most eminent scientific men, that science is declining amongst us, and 

 that Britain is rapidly losing, if it has not already lost, its pre-eminence. 

 As a scientific country, I confess, that this lamentation over the fallen 

 fortunes of our land appears to me utterly unfounded. How can it be 

 said that science is declining amongst us, whilst such ardour in the 

 pursuit of all its diversified branches cannot fail to be perceived 

 amongst almost every class of society ; and whilst such a list of splendid 

 names grace the annals of modern British science, which cannot fail to 

 adorn the fair page of history ? " Can it be necessary/' exclaims 

 the learned author of that interesting discourse on the objects of science, 

 which is prefixed to the scientific publications of the Society for the 

 Diffusion of Useful Knowledge — ee can it be necessary to declaim on 

 the superiority of a people amongst whom intellectual pleasures, how- 

 ever trifling, are preferred to mere animal gratifications ? V The time 

 is now gone by, when a defence of any department of natural 



VOL. II. NO. I. C 



