IN TRODUCTORY ADDRESS* Hi: 
quifitely fine, than their fagacity and a&ivity are admirable. 
1 he having accefs to rich ftores of all manner of productions 
dredged up with eafe from the bottom of thefe feas, pre- 
served in their native element, and frequently feen in all 
their healthful, animated ftate ; while the fpirit of enterprize 
actuates their frame, informs their beauty, and calls forth all 
their ingenuity and arts ; became an inviting incitement to » 
attempt the delineation of fome of their more elegant forms, 
and to defcribe fuch peculiarities as occur in. their manner 
°f life. Thefe feemed alfo mot interefting and engaging fub-*- 
jects of attention, and claimed a feparate department in this 
Work. 
Myriads of exiftence, in a mod animated and bufy fcene, 
iQ r ever lie concealed from our view in the unfathomable re- 
treats of the Ocean ; but enough is feen to give us high con- 
ceptions of its concealed wonders, and infpire the profoun- 
deft aftonifhment, at the infinite variety of forms that are 
there made recipient of life, and capable of exhibiting fuch 
eminent fpecimens of admirable workmanfhip, as difclofe 
high evidences of Deity ! of Supreme Intelligence, ordain- 
mg the forms and infpiring the energies of Creation ! and 
offering innumerable teftimonies to our view, that Infinite 
Wisdom is the Lord of Nature 1 
This is the incenfe that Divine Philofophy kindles on the 
Altar of Science, and finds that fac red flame beam with the 
light of life, 
Ini 
8 
