BEES AND FLOWERS. 243 
domain; on the contrary, we have scarcely explored 
even the outskirts of it. The " History of a Grain of 
Salt," " A Butterfly's Life," or " The Labours of an 
Ant," would introduce us to fairies and wonders quite 
as interesting as those of which we have spoken in 
these lectures. While " A Plash of Lightning," " An 
Explosion in a Coal-mine," or " The Eruption of a 
Volcano," would bring us into the presence of ter- 
rible giants known and dreaded from time imme- 
morial. 
But at least we have passed through the gates, and 
have learned that there is a world of wonder which we 
may visit if we will ; and that it lies quite close to us, 
hidden in every dewdrop and gust of wind, in every 
brook and valley, in every little plant or animal. We 
have only to stretch out our hand and touch them 
with the wand of inquiry, and they will answer us 
and reveal the fairy forces which guide and govern 
them ; and thus pleasant and happy thoughts may 
be conjured up at any time, wherever we find our- 
selves, by simply calling upon nature's fairies and 
asking them to speak to us. Is it not strange, then, 
that people should pass them by so often without a 
thought, and be content to grow up ignorant of all 
the wonderful powers ever active in the world around 
them? 
Neither is it pleasure alone which we gain by a 
study of nature. We cannot examine even a tiny 
sunbeam, and picture the minute waves of which it 
is composed, travelling incessantly from the sun, with- 
out being filled with wonder and awe at the marvellous 
activity and power displayed in the infinitely small as 
