though a useless insect, compared with the bee, is in its histo ry no less interesting and wonderful. The policy and labors of ants, their extensive habitations in the tropical regions, and the remarkable fact, that they keep vast numbers of aphides in a kind of domestic subjection, to furnish them with honey, guarded by them in summer, and protected in their cells during winter, give the air of romance to their history, and raise our admiration of that Power whose works are as perfect in an atom as in a globe. Design is no where more distinctly manifest than in the foot of a fly, which enables the insect by suction to walk in perpendicular and pendulous postures; or in the glow worm, whose shining light discovers her presence to her winged mate, herself being destitute of the means of flight. A limited knowledge of insects may often give pleasure to a summer ramble, and enliven many a lonely hour of pain and weariness. Although the objects of Entomology are insignificant when compared with the nobler races of animals, which more immediately affect our interest, yet of every one who delights to trace the designs of intelligence in creation, and understand and enjoy the world around him, this study will command the few moments in the intervals of life, necessary to obtain its leading features. One of the most obvious beauties of Natural History is the great variety in form and features, every where presented to us, an endless variety, arising from the combination of a few simple principles, readily perceived and comprehended. Take for example the oxygen of the atmosphere, as a supporter of life, without which, no plant or animal can exist. In its application, how various are the means employed by nature, over all whose works, from the least to the greatest, an equal care is extended. In all warm blooded animals, the air is received into the lungs, where it parts with its vital principle to renovate the blood and give health and vigor to the system, In reptiles, a different modification of the lungs and the circulating system, produces a corresponding difference in the temper ature of the body and the habits of the animal, enabling some of them to exist in a torpid state several months without eating or breathing. In fishes, we discover another arrangement, that of gills, so constructed as to absorb the oxygen from the water in its passage through them; and in many of the lower orders of aquatic animals, the surfaces of their bodies, like the leaves of plants, appear to perform this important function; while in insects, as has been observed, the air is circulated by means of numerous tubes, interlacing the whole system and communicating with openings in various parts of the body. In the vegetable kingdom, how simple are the elements which compose the endless variety there displayed. Oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen, are the simple substances, which, modified by the law and directed by the influence of vegctable life, perform the ceaseless changes in form, color, and consistence, in the growth, decomposition, and renovation of this important part of creation. These elements accumulate and rise into magnificence and beauty, to fill nature's storehouse with riches and plenty; then again are scattered to recombine in different proportions in other substances, and thus preserve the harmony and order of nature. These general ideas are easily taught, and not soon forgotten. What has been said of the advantage, derived from the study of the names, habits, and structures of the inferior objects of creation, will also be applicable to the higher races of animals, with the addition, that our feelings become enlivened as our interest is influenced. The great variety of animals inhabiting the water, will be found to possess a peculiar interest, arising from their adaptation to the element in which they reside. The ocean is the great abode of animal existence, and the provision made for the support of the various tribes, and the means employed to keep in check the more prolific species, are among the most obvious displays of Infinite Wisdom. For most of the animals, great and small, inhabiting the land, a common food is provided in the vegetable kingdom; comparatively few species prey upon others. But in the ocean, it is different; from the small animalculæ, to which a drop of water is a sea, to the mighty whale, "Whom God of all his works Created highest, that swim the ocean stream," the condition of the being seems to be, to feed upon and in turn become food to others. The monsters of the deep are interesting to us from many considerations; their gigantic forms, the enterprise and danger of their capture, and the various uses to which they are appropriated in the arts and domestic life, render their history pleasing. The same is true of the smaller inhabitants of that element. The herring visits us annually from its home within the arctic circle; the shad and salmon perform their yearly pilgrimage to the highlands of the country, in obedience to the dictates of their nature; and in every individual species something may be observed which will amuse and instruct. Amid the profusion of living creatures that surround us, none bring to us livelier sensations than birds; their peculiar form, beautiful plumage, and graceful motion through the air, always delight us. They seem to be the ornamental part of animated nature, as flowers are in the vegetable kingdom. Winter spreads a gloom over the face of the landscape, which in summer was adorned in glittering splendor; and we feel the cold desolation as we survey the silent relics of the departed year; but when spring returns, our feelings are enlivened to hear the winged heralds of seed time and flowers, returned from the sunny vales of the south, bringing the same sweet notes that so often charmed our infancy, and, if the heart has kept its purity, still touches the sympathetic chord in the breast of manhood. In spring, they give an additional enchantment to the smiles of infant nature; throughout the summer, they delight and amuse us with sportive animation in their exuberance of joy and hilarity. Ornithology has long been the favourite study of the natu ralist, and perhaps no contemplation of nature is better calculated to impart kind and amiable qualities to the mind. From the golden dotted humming bird, smaller than many insects, to the rapacious condor of the Andes, whose wings extend through sixteen feet-from the humble denizen of the hedge row or the cottage roof, to the birds of paradise, beautiful, As if dropped from some higher sphere, and each intermediate grade in color, form, and modes of living, all open a storehouse of rational enjoyment, which we can obtain no where else. The names and characters of birds are easily learned, but these alone are not the most valuable part of this subject. The grand object of the study of Natural History is to enjoy, in elevated and refined feeling, the works of creation; to look upon all things with that calin complacency, which arises from an habitual contemplation of rural objects. In the structure of birds, differing from all other creaturesin the circulation of air, not only in the lungs, but through the bones and feathers, for the purpose of making them lighter in their food and habits of living-in the architecture of their dwelling, their eggs, and the parental care and attention for the young, we find abundant matter to amuse a young, or instruct a riper age. As we ascend to the highest class of animals, the mammalia, we find new wonders open to us in their more complicated forms and diversity of powers. In this extensive class are included most of the large and small quadrupeds, inhabiting the land, together with the cetace of the ocean, comprising the various kinds of whales, walrusses, seals, &c. Consequently, the field of observation is as extensive and broad as the earth; but those varieties which immediately surround us, are comparatively few, and their history easily acquired. Animal Physiology is a fruitful source of useful instruction, and should by no means escape the attention of the teacher or pupil. Digestion, the circulation of the blood, respiration, the wonderful mechanism of the eye and the ear, are among the most useful items of general information, and may always be brought with an enlivening interest into the monotonous routine of daily teaching. Natural History would be entitled to our veneration, if it taught us only the general outlines of our own system. It is certainly to be lamented that ignorance and prejudice should have so long triumphed over reason, in forbidding that most useful of all information, the anatomy and physiology of our own system. How few there are, who understand their own organization, or know in what manner the human system is influenced by climate, food, and apparel, which would enable them to take the precautionary measures to guard against accident or disease. It can be easily and successfully taught in any school, even without drawings or preparations; and childhood might soon be divested of its timidity, if judicious teachers were permitted, by public opinion, to treat this subject in a manner worthy of human beings. Some attention to the leading features of anatomy and physiology, cannot be too urgently recommended to all who have assigned to them the important duty of directing the education of youth. Important are the advantages arising from even a limited knowledge of our bodies, so fearfully and wonderfully made. Time will not now permit me to enumerate these advantages, though the injudicious treatment of children, the intemperate habits in eating and drinking, and the injurious fashions of dress, which would be most signally benefited by this knowledge, call aloud on me to advocate the cause of philosophy, reason, and humanity. In attempting to introduce the study of Natural History into schools, the first duty belongs to teachers themselves. To what extent teachers are generally qualified to instruct in the various branches of this science is unknown to me; but it would |