As the natural historian is exclusively- occupied with observation, it is necessary that he leave the closet, and explore the characters of the different creatures of this globe in their ordinary situations, and mark their changes when beyond the sphere of human influence. He will ofte» find himself anticipated by the discoveries of the huntsman, the fisher, the farmer, or the miner. These are all practical naturalists, and, in their respective de partments, frequently discover both extensive and accu rate information. Could we, therefore, behold the prac tical observer studying the rules of the science—and the closet naturalist respecting his discoveries, and giving them a suitable arrangement, the whole subject would by degrees assume a new form, and facts would multi ply under the banners of public confidence. The sci entific naturalist, acquainted with the rules of system, and in league with the daily observer, would be able by his instructions to extend our dominion over the crea tures of this globe, and increase the comforts of society.
This department of human knowledge appears so in teresting and important, as to deserve a place in every system of education, and ought to be taught, not in col leges merely, but in every parochial school. Information
on this subject, thus obtained, would prove highly useful in after life, and infinitely more valuable than many of those branches of ornamental knowledge in which chil dren are initiated. We are far from undervaluing the languages of Greece and Rome, those valued stores of poetry, though not of science,—we are equally far from un dervaluing the genteel accomplishments of music, danc ing, or riding—but we are confident, that, were the ad vantages to be derived frpm the study of natural history fairly placed in competition with any, or with all of these, it would probably be allowed to occupy a more exalted place in public opinion'than it has hitherto been suffered to possess. At present the pursuits of the naturalist are often sneered at, and considered as a degrading employ ment to a cultivated mind. We, in our turn, deplore popular ignorance, and regard every object which the Deity has created as worthy of our notice—whether it be the mite or the elephant, the hyssop on the wall or the cedar of Lebanon, the dull clay or the glittering marble.
The following is a List of the Articles of Natural History as given in this work, arranged according to the divisions in the present article :