2 
ILLUSTRATED NATURAL HISTORY. 
Or, in their pearly shells at ease, attend 
Moist nutriment ; or under rocks their food 
In jointed armor watch : on smootli the seal 
And bended dolpliins play: part hu,?e of bulk, 
Wallowing unwieldy, enormous in their gait, 
Tempest the ocean. 
To whatever elevation we attain on the mountain-sides, to Avhatever depth in the ocean we may 
sink the lead, everywhere shall we find traces of animal existence, everywhere find ourselves 
surrounded by living creatures, in a profusion and variety which may well excite our wonder and 
admiration. 
Nor are these phenomena confined to any region of the earth ; on the contrary, the diversity of 
climate only adds to the variety of objects which the zoologist is called upon to contemplate. Thus 
the bold voyager of the inclement regions of the north, in losing sight of those productions of 
nature which met his eyes at home, finds, as it were, a new creation in his new abode, — seals, by 
tlie hundred, basking in the scanty rays of the Arctic sun, or diving into the deep waters in search 
of tlieir finny prey, — the whale, roHing his vast bulk in the waves, and ever and anon driving high 
mto the air his curious fountain — water, be it remembered, strained fi-om the myriads of small 
animals which constitute the food of the leviathan. The air is peopled by innumerable flights of 
marine birds ; the sea by still more countless swarms of fishes ; and the land afi'ords a habitation to 
the elk and the reindeer, the Arctic fox, and other creatures peculiar to those regions. 
If we turn our regards southward, to the tropical regions of the earth, the abundance and variety 
of animated beings increase more and more. Here the colossal elephant and the unwieldy 
rhinoceros, crash through primeval forests ; the lion and the tiger, and other predatory beasts, 
prowl through the thickets, seeking for their prey ; on vast plains, countless herds of antelopes 
browse in fancied security, or dash swiftly past at the approach of danger ; gigantic snakes lie 
coiled in horrid folds among the bushes, or hang from the trees awaiting their victims. The air 
and trees swarm with birds of gorgeous plumage, and insects of strange forms and brilliant colors. 
Nor are the waters less bountifully provided with inhabitants : every form with which we are 
acquainted in our own seas is here represented, but with still greater profusion and variety. 
"Full nature swarms with life. * * * 
* * * Througli subterranean cells. 
Where searching sunbeams scarce can find a way, 
Earth animated heaves. The flowery leaf 
Wants not its soft inhabitants. Secure 
Within its winding citadel, the stone 
Holds multitudes. But chief, the forest boughs. 
That dance unnumbered to the playful breeze, 
The downy orchard, and the melting pulp 
Of mellow fruit, the nameless nations feed 
Of evanescent insects. Where the pool 
Stands mantled o'er with green, invisible, 
Amid the floating verdure, millions stray. 
Each liquid too, whether it pierces, soothes, 
Inflames, refreshes, or exalts the taste. 
With varying forms abounds. Nor is the stream 
Of purest crystal, nor the lucid air, 
Though one transparent vacancy it seems. 
Void of their unseen people." 
And there is a feature in this aboimding animal life of the sea, which strikes the mind as one 
of the most beautiful provisions of nature. At night, the ocean sparkles with a brilliancy which 
rivals the splendor even of a tropical sky ; and this phenomenon, which may be witnessed, although 
in an inferior degree, in more temperate climes, is due to the presence of vast multitudes of minute 
phosphorescent animals, whose very existence would frequently remain unknown, but for their 
powers of illuminating the waves by night. 
And when we have exhausted the study of external nature, there is yet another world to which 
we may turn. Within our bodies, and those of every species of animal, from the highest to nearly 
the very lowest, exist various forms of parasites, preying upon our substance or our food : creatures 
