PREFACE. 
XI 
especially to have them slighted or con- 
temned ; but to be admired by the rational 
part of the world, to magnify his own power 
to all the world and the ages thereof : and 
since the works of the creation are all of 
them so many demonstrations of the infinite 
wisdom and power of God, they may serve 
to us as so many arguments exciting us to 
a constant fear of the Deity, and a steady 
and hearty obedience to all his laws.” 
Considered in this light, how much may 
be gained by the study of Nature when 
properly directed ! The wonders which it 
unfolds will be constantly raising our vene- 
ration towards God, while the various uses 
to be derived from it will be of the ut- 
most service to man. The magnetic needle 
which directs the mariner in his course, and 
without which he would be reduced to a 
state of the most dreadful uncertainty, is 
one instance among many of the great use 
of minerals. 
In the vegetable kingdom innumerable 
instances occur to prove the value of a pro- 
