of the universe, hath allotted to him for an inheritance-as he must necessarily have been, had it pleased the same Almighty Power to drop him suddenly upon this earth, with all his faculties about him, clear and undismayed.

It is difficult to conceive the excess of ardent curiosity with which a man so situated would survey all the variety of natural objects by which he was surrounded; for he would immediately perceive, that not only all his comforts, but the very means of supporting his existence, must depend upon his knowledge of their properties and uses, and upon the extent of his dominion over them; he would feel assured, that to study them, and become intimately acquainted with their nature, was the first and most important of his duties. He would find his pleasures also dependent on the same external objects. Whatever could delight the eye, or gratify the ear:-the azure canopy of heaven, spread out by night with countless myriads of stars, and by day illumined with the sun's resplendent beams;

the delightful verdure of the green earth, speckled with innumerable flowers, and adorned by groups of living, locomotive, beings, of every variety of conformation, and almost every degree of mental intelligence, from himself downwards;-the solemn stillness of the woods; the sublimity and rude magnificence of the mountains; the expanse of the boundless deep; the balmy freshness of the morning; and the sweet melody of the birds;-to man, in his state of innocence, would afford themes of continual joy.

Such, however, is the general effect of a long acquaintance with the scenes of Nature, that, although possessing the highest interest, they cease to have any influence on ordinary minds when their novelty has passed away; and, generally, they are least valued by those to whom they are most frequently presented. Man is very frail, indolent, and ungrateful. Blessings uniformly continued, and constantly enjoyed, are considered as rights; and, as rights long established, they are confidently expected,

and carelessly received. The benefits derived from the light and heat of the sun are inestimable; and wonderful' and allpowerful is that energy which is capable of upholding its everlasting continuance; yet, that this glorious luminary should lighten the earth, and by its genial warmth awaken, preserve, and invigorate, the animal and vegetable creation, is so much a matter of course, excites so little emotion, and is acknowledged with so much indifference; that should any one, warm from a serious contemplation of its ever-active and beneficial influence, venture to pour forth the effusions of his admiring soul before the generality of men the stare of astonishment, or the smile of contempt, would soon convince him that he felt alone.

But, whatever opinions may be held of such an employment of time as that which is occupied in the investigation of natural objects, it is quite certain that every thing subjected to the use or pleasure of man, depends immediately, or remotely, upon this knowledge: as such, it is worthy of our

most serious attention; and it becomes necessary to examine the nature, and, as far as possible, the limits, of the field subjected to our inquiry.

One who aspires to the knowledge of every department into which the vast and noble science of Natural History has been separated, when called upon to declare the objects of his pursuit, and what are the benefits likely to accrue to those individuals who engage in it, and to society at large, might thus briefly, and yet comprehensively, define them.

To trace the footsteps of GoD, the eternal, the infinite, the omniscient, and omnipotent, throughout all Nature;-to be initiated in mysteries and laws which produce effects that are necessary for our welfare, or that conduce to our happiness;—to seek the knowledge of His designs, and of His works, to the end that we might more properly appreciate the various objects, both animated and inanimated, by which we are surrounded; and to regulate our duties and our pleasures by that knowledge; he would

say, was the high mark and calling to which his talents and his labours were directed.

Though the empire of Nature has been elegantly and comprehensively defined to consist of all the heavenly bodies; the stars, both fixed and revolutionary; the elements, and the earth;-indeed of every species and every combination of matter that is contained within the vast and unknown limits of the universe: yet it is to the globe upon which we tread, that the attention of the Naturalist is properly, and more immediately, directed. It is here that the grand field for inquiry is opened to his view; because it is here only he can expect to come into that personal contact with the various forms and combinations of matter which can yield any certain or useful knowledge. This globe, therefore, with all that it contains, together with the circumambient air, may be termed his own immediate empire; and, for the sake of perspicuity, it is divided into what are termed the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms.

Animals derive their support from vege