into otlier genera without violation of the laws of 
nature and science. This boundless liberality, 
even though it be from an Almighty hand — hold- 
ing omnipotent power, is to finite minds somewhat 
incomprehensible. The contemplation of these 
riches of Nature — spread every where on the face of 
the globe, with unlimited profusion cannot but in- 
spire a feeling of awe; and not less of humble grati- 
tude, when observed to produce so extensively those 
objects adapted to the gratification and support of 
mankind. We may be grateful, too, for that power 
which enables us to investigate these riches, and 
to trace their connexion through the minutely gra- 
duated scale of creation — a pleasurable employ- 
ment, regarding which the morose utilitarian may 
ask ‘‘Where are the useful results ? ” We may reply 
in the words of John Barton, in his Geography of 
Plants, “I must acknowledge that if the word use- 
ful is employed in its vulgar acceptation, as applied 
to the supply of our physical wants, I cannot tell ; 
but if the term utility is intended to comprise those 
higher advantages which are connected with moral 
and intellectual influence of the employment itself — 
its tendency to elevate, refine, and humanize the 
character — to exercise, without harassing the facul- 
ties — to divert the attention from mercenary and sen- 
sual objects to purer and nobler contemplations — ^to 
bring the mind within the tranquil precincts of the 
Temple, whence it may readily, and often, without 
violence, be called into the Sanctuary — if by this 
standard the value of our pursuits is to be mea- 
sured, there are few' of them, perhaps, that deserve 
to occupy a higher place than the study of nature.” 
