CONTENTS. II. Of the Reproductive Powers of Nature,........... 17 III. Geology-Formation of the Earth-Advantages SECTION I. GENERAL INTRODUCTORY VIEW OF THE SYSTEM OF NATURE-THE ADVANTAGES OF THE STUDY. If we could suppose a human being, in the full possession of all his faculties, and in the maturity of his judgment, led to an eminence, and for the first time made to behold the earth and the sky, the waving trees, sparkling waters, green meadows, and the happy sporting of birds and animals, what would be his expressions of wonder, delight, and admiration! It is by gradually becoming acquainted with the different objects before and around us, and, more particularly, by the effect of long custom in blunting and deadening our curiosity, that the mass of men look with so little interest on a world teeming with the most beautiful and wonderful productions, or direct so small a A share of their attention to a series of the most sin gular operations and changes daily and hourly passing before them. Natural science embraces a wide field of human speculation. All that we see around us, both in the air and on the earth, every substance, both animate and inanimate, with the properties peculiar to each, and the laws which regulate them, come under the consideration of the naturalist. To form a general view of the science, he must first begin with investigating the relation which the earth bears to the planets and other heavenly bodies; then investigate the nature of the air or atmosphere which surrounds the globe; its various states and conditions, giving rise to winds, hurricanes, meteors, thunder-storms, rain, snow, hail, &c. The next object of inquiry is the formation of the earth itself; the various substances of which it is composed,-solids, fluids, metals, salts, and their infinite combinations; then comes the vegetable world; and last and highest of all, the wonderful mechanism of the animated creation. In such a wide field of inquiry, it is not to be wondered at that ages on ages have elapsed, and yet but very limited and imperfect glimpses have been obtained of many phenomena. The prosecution of even one department is sufficient to occupy the attention of a lifetime; and it is only by the combined and accumulated knowledge of numerous successive observers, that the general science has arrived at its present advancement. The study of nature has in all ages attracted the attention of mankind. It is a highly interesting one, and, unlike many other human speculations, leaves no disagreeable impression on the mind; like the perception of odours or sweet strains of music, it delights and exhilarates without causing subsequent depression or perturbation. Political discussions are often apt to inflame the passions and pervert the judgment,-religion, when it leaves the pure and primitive path, becomes intolerant and dogmatic,-the caprices and incongruities of fashion are proverbial,—and the imagination itself, that sublime and etherial attribute, often clouds and obscures the mind, instead of irradiating; but when we turn to Nature, there all is simplicity, beauty, and harmony,-there the true standard of taste is always to be found; for she is perfect and invariable. The very sight of the fair face of Nature is suffi |