Dedication。
　　MYDEARMISSGRENFELL，ICANNOTforegothepleasureofdedicatingthislittlebooktoyou;
　　exceptingofcoursetheopeningexhortation（needlessenoughinyourcase）tothosewhohavenotyetdiscoveredthevalueofNaturalHistory。Acceptitasamemorialofpleasanthoursspentbyusalready，andasanearnest，Itrust，ofpleasanthourstobespenthereafter（perhaps，too，beyondthislifeinthenoblerworldtocome），inexaminingtogethertheworksofourFatherinheaven。
　　Yourgratefulandfaithfulbrother—in—law，C。KINGSLEY。
　　BIDEFORD，APRIL24。1855。
　　GLAUCUS;OR，THEWONDERSOFTHESHORE。
　　Youaregoingdown，perhaps，byrailway，topassyourusualsixweeksatsomewatering—placealongthecoast，andasyourollalongthinkmorethanonce，andthatnotover—cheerfully，ofwhatyoushalldowhenyougetthere。Youarehalf—tired，half—ashamed，ofmakingonemoreintheignoblearmyofidlers，whosaunteraboutthecliffs，andsands，andquays;towhomeverywharfisbuta"wharfofLethe，"bywhichtheyrot"dullastheoozyweed。"Youforeknowyourdoombysadexperience。Agreatdealofdressing，aloungeintheclub—room，astareoutofthewindowwiththetelescope，anattempttotakeabadsketch，awalkuponeparadeanddownanother，interminablereadingofthesilliestofnovels，overwhichyoufallasleeponabenchinthesun，andprobablyhaveyourumbrellastolen;apurposelessfine—weathersailinayacht，accompaniedbymanyineffectualattemptstocatchamackerel，andtheconsumptionofmanycigars;whileyourboysdeafenyourears，andendangeryourpersonalsafety，byblazingawayatinnocentgullsandwillocks，whogoofftodieslowly;asportwhichyoufeeltobewanton，andcowardly，andcruel，andyetcannotfindinyourhearttostop，because"theladshavenothingelsetodo，andatalleventsitkeepsthemoutofthebilliard—room;"andafterall，andworstofall，atnightasoullessRECHAUFFEofthird—rateLondonfrivolity：thisisthelife—in—deathinwhichthousandsspendthegoldenweeksofsummer，andinwhichyouconfesswithasighthatyouaregoingtospendthem。
　　NowIwillnotbesorudeastoapplytoyoutheoldhymn—distichaboutonewho"—findssomemischiefstillForidlehandstodo："
　　butdoesitnotseemtoyou，thattheremustsurelybemanyathingworthlookingatearnestly，andthinkingoverearnestly，inaworldlikethis，aboutthemakingoftheleastpartwhereofGodhasemployedagesandages，furtherbackthanwisdomcanguessorimaginationpicture，andupholdsthatleastparteverymomentbylawsandforcessocomplexandsowonderful，thatscience，whenittriestofathomthem，canonlylearnhowlittleitcanlearn？Anddoesitnotseemtoyouthatsixweeks’rest，freefromthecaresoftownbusinessandthewhirlwindoftownpleasure，couldnotbebetterspentthaninexaminingthosewondersalittle，insteadofwanderingupanddownlikethemany，stillwraptupeachinhislittleworldofvanityandself—interest，unconsciousofwhatandwheretheyreallyare，astheygazelazilyaroundatearthandseaandsky，andhave"NospeculationinthoseeyesWhichtheydoglarewithal"？
　　Whynot，then，trytodiscoverafewoftheWondersoftheShore？
　　Forwonderstherearetherearoundyouateverystep，strangerthaneveropium—eaterdreamed，andyettobeseenatnogreaterexpensethanaverylittletimeandtrouble。
　　Perhapsyousmile，inanswer，atthenotionofbecominga"Naturalist："andyetyoucannotdenythattheremustbeafascinationinthestudyofNaturalHistory，thoughwhatitisisasyetunknowntoyou。Yourdaughters，perhaps，havebeenseizedwiththeprevailing"Pteridomania，"andarecollectingandbuyingferns，withWard’scaseswhereintokeepthem（forwhichyouhavetopay），andwranglingoverunpronounceablenamesofspecies（whichseemtohedifferentineachnewFern—bookthattheybuy），tillthePteridomaniaseemstoyousomewhatofabore：andyetyoucannotdenythattheyfindanenjoymentinit，andaremoreactive，morecheerful，moreself—forgetfuloverit，thantheywouldhavebeenovernovelsandgossip，crochetandBerlin—wool。Atleastyouwillconfessthattheabominationof"Fancy—work"—thatstandingcloakfordreamyidleness（nottomentiontheinjurywhichitdoestopoorstarvingneedlewomen）—hasallbutvanishedfromyourdrawing—roomsincethe"Lady—ferns"and"Venus’shair"appeared;
　　andthatyoucouldnothelpyourselflookingnowandthenatthesaid"Venus’shair，"andagreeingthatNature’srealbeautiesweresomewhatsuperiortotheghastlywoollencaricatureswhichtheyhadsuperseded。
　　Youcannotdeny，Isay，thatthereisafascinationinthissameNaturalHistory。Fordonotyou，theLondonmerchant，recollecthowbutlastsummeryourdouceandportlyhead—clerkwasseizedbytwokeepersintheactofwanderinginEppingForestatdeadofnight，withadarklantern，ajarofstrangesweetcompound，andinnumerablepocketfulsofpill—boxes;andfounditverydifficulttomakeeitherhiscaptorsoryoubelievethathewasneithergoingtoburnwheat—ricks，norpoisonpheasants，butwassimply"sugaringthetreesformoths，"asablamelessentomologist？Andwhen，inself—justification，hetookyoutohishouseinIslington，andshowedyoutheglazedandcorkeddrawersfullofdelicateinsects，whichhadevidentlycosthiminthecollectingthesparehoursofmanybusyyears，andmanyapound，too，outofhissmallsalary，wereyounotalittlepuzzledtomakeoutwhatspelltherecouldbeinthose"useless"moths，todrawoutofhiswarmbed，twentymilesdowntheEasternCountiesRailway，andintothedampforestlikeadeer—stealer，asoberwhite—headedTimLinkinwaterlikehim，yourverybestmanofbusiness，giventothereadingofScotchpoliticaleconomy，andgiftedwithpeculiarlyclearnotionsonthecurrencyquestion？
　　Itispuzzling，truly。Ishallbeverygladifthesepageshelpyousomewhattowardsolvingthepuzzle。
　　WeshallagreeatleastthatthestudyofNaturalHistoryhasbecomenow—a—daysanhonourableone。ACromartystonemasonwastilllately—Godresthisnoblesoul！—themostimportantmanintheCityofEdinburgh，bydintofaworkonfossilfishes;andthesuccessfulinvestigatoroftheminutestanimalstakesplaceunquestionedamongmenofgenius，and，likethephilosopherofoldGreece，isconsidered，byvirtueofhisscience，fitcompanyfordukesandprinces。Nay，thestudyisnowmorethanhonourable;itis（whattomanyreaderswillbeafarhigherrecommendation）evenfashionable。Everywell—educatedpersoniseagertoknowsomethingatleastofthewonderfulorganicformswhichsurroundhimineverysunbeamandeverypebble;andbooksofNaturalHistoryarefindingtheirwaymoreandmoreintodrawing—roomsandschool—rooms，andexcitinggreaterthirstforaknowledgewhich，eventwentyyearsago，wasconsideredsuperfluousforallbuttheprofessionalstudent。
　　Whatachangefromthetemperoftwogenerationssince，whenthenaturalistwaslookedonasaharmlessenthusiast，whowent"bug—
　　hunting，"simplybecausehehadnotspirittofollowafox！TherearethosealivewhocanrecollectanamiablemanbeingliterallybulliedoutoftheNewForest，becausehedaredtomakeacollection（atthismoment，webelieve，insomeunknownabyssofthatgreatAvernus，theBritishMuseum）offossilshellsfromthoseveryHordwellCliffs，forexploringwhichthereisnowestablishedasocietyofsubscribersandcorrespondents。Theycanremember，too，when，onthefirstappearanceofBewick’s"BritishBirds，"theexcellentsportsmanwhobroughtitdowntotheForestwasasked，Whyonearthhehadboughtabookabout"cocksparrows"？andhadtojustifyhimselfagainandagain，simplybylendingthebooktohisbrothersportsmen，toconvincethemthattherewererathermorethanadozensortsofbirds（astheythenheld）indigenoustoHampshire。Butthebook，perhaps，whichturnedthetideinfavourofNaturalHistory，amongthehigherclassesatleast，inthesouthofEngland，wasWhite’s"HistoryofSelborne。"AHampshiregentlemanandsportsman，whomeverybodyknew，hadtakenthetroubletowriteabookaboutthebirdsandtheweedsinhisownparish，andtheevery—daythingswhichwentonunderhiseyes，andeveryoneelse’s。Andallgentlemen，fromtheWealdofKenttotheValeofBlackmore，shruggedtheirshouldersmysteriously，andsaid，"Poorfellow！"tilltheyopenedthebookitself，anddiscoveredtotheirsurprisethatitreadlikeanynovel。Andthencameaburstofconfused，buthonestadmiration;fromtheyoungsquire’s"Blessme！
　　whowouldhavethoughtthatthereweresomanywonderfulthingstobeseeninone’sownpark！"totheoldsquire’smoremorallyvaluable"Blessme！why，Ihaveseenthatandthatahundredtimes，andneverthoughttillnowhowwonderfultheywere！"
　　Thereweregreatexcuses，though，ofold，forthecontemptinwhichthenaturalistwasheld;greatexcusesforthepityingtoneofbanterwithwhichtheSpectatortalksof"theingenious"DonSaltero（asnodoubttheNeapolitangentlemantalkedofFerranteImperatotheapothecary，andhismuseum）;greatexcusesforVoltaire，whenheclassesthecollectionofbutterfliesamongtheother"bizarreriesdel’esprithumain。"For，inthelastgeneration，theneedsoftheworldweredifferent。Ithadnotimeforbutterfliesandfossils。WhileBuonapartewashoveringontheBoulognecoast，thepursuitsandtheeducationwhichwereneededweresuchaswouldraiseupmentofighthim;sothecoarse，fierce，hard—handedtrainingofourgrandfatherscamewhenitwaswanted，anddidtheworkwhichwasrequiredofit，elsewehadnotbeenherenow。Letusbethankfulthatwehavehadleisureforscience;andshownowinwarthatoursciencehasatleastnotunmannedus。
　　Moreover，NaturalHistory，ifnotfiftyyearsago，certainlyahundredyearsago，washardlyworthyofmenofpracticalcommonsense。After，indeed，Linne，byhisinventionofgenericandspecificnames，hadmadeclassificationpossible，andbyhisownenormouslabourshadshownhowmuchcouldbedonewhenonceamethodwasestablished，thesciencehasgrownrapidlyenough。Butbeforehimlittleornothinghadbeenputintoformdefiniteenoughtoallurethosewho（asthemanyalwayswill）prefertoprofitbyothers’discoveries，thantodiscoverforthemselves;andNaturalHistorywasattractiveonlytoafewearnestseekers，whofoundtoomuchtroubleindisencumberingtheirownmindsofthedreamsofbygonegenerations（whetherfacts，likecockatrices，basilisks，andkrakens，thebreedingofbeesoutofadeadox，andofgeesefrombarnacles;ortheories，likethoseofelements，theVISPLASTRIXinNature，animalspirits，andtheothermustyheirloomsofAristotleismandNeo—platonism），totrytomakeasciencepopular，whichasyetwasnotevenascienceatall。Honourtothem，nevertheless。HonourtoRayandhisillustriouscontemporariesinHollandandFrance。HonourtoSebaandAldrovandus;toPomet，withhis"HistorieofDrugges;"eventotheingeniousDonSaltero，andhistavern—museuminCheyneWalk。Whereallwaschaos，everymanwasusefulwhocouldcontributeasinglespotoforganizedstandinggroundintheshapeofafactoraspecimen。ButitisaquestionwhetherNaturalHistorywouldhaveeverattaineditspresenthonours，hadnotGeologyarisen，toconnecteveryotherbranchofNaturalHistorywithproblemsasvastandawfulastheyarecaptivatingtotheimagination。Nay，theveryoppositionwithwhichGeologymetwasofasgreatbenefittothesistersciencesastoitself。For，whenquestionsbelongingtothemostsacredhereditarybeliefsofChristendomweresupposedtobeaffectedbytheverificationofafossilshell，ortheprovingthattheMaestricht"homodiluviitestis"was，afterall，amonstrouseft，itbecamenecessarytoworkuponConchology，Botany，andComparativeAnatomy，withacareandareverence，acautionandasevereinduction，whichhadbeenneverbeforeappliedtothem;andthusgradually，inthelasthalf—century，thewholechoirofcosmicalscienceshaveacquiredasoundness，severity，andfulness，whichrenderthem，asmereintellectualexercises，asvaluabletoamanlymindasMathematicsandMetaphysics。
　　Buthowverylatelyhavetheyattainedthatfirmandhonourablestandingground！Itisaquestionwhether，eventwentyyearsago，Geology，asitthenstood，wasworthtroublingone’sheadabout，solittlehadbeenreallyproved。Andheavyanduphillwasthework，evenwithinthelastfifteenyears，ofthosewhostedfastlysetthemselvestothetaskofprovingandofassertingatallrisks，thattheMakerofthecoalseamandthediluvialcavecouldnotbea"Deusquidamdeceptor，"andthatthefactswhichtherockandthesiltrevealedweresacred，nottobewarpedortrifledwithforthesakeofanycowardlyandhastynotionthattheycontradictedHisothermessages。Whenafewmoreyearsarepast，BucklandandSedgwick，MurchisonandLyell，Delab坈heandPhillips，ForbesandJamieson，andthegroupofbravemenwhoaccompaniedandfollowedthem，willbelookedbacktoasmoralbenefactorsoftheirrace;
　　andalmostasmartyrs，also，whenitisrememberedhowmuchmisunderstanding，obloquy，andplausiblefollytheyhadtoendurefromwell—meaningfanaticslikeFairholmeorGranvillePenn，andtherespectablemobattheirheelswhotried（asisthefashioninsuchcases）tomakeahollowcompromisebetweenfactandtheBible，bytwistingfactsjustenoughtomakethemfitthefanciedmeaningoftheBible，andtheBiblejustenoughtomakeitfitthefanciedmeaningofthefacts。Buttherewereafewwhowouldhavenocompromise;wholabouredonwithanoblerecklessness，determinedtospeakthethingwhichtheyhadseen，andneithermorenorless，surethatGodcouldtakebettercarethantheyofHisowneverlastingtruth。Andnowtheyhaveconquered：thefactswhichweretwentyyearsagodenouncedascontrarytoRevelation，areatlastacceptednotmerelyasconsonantwith，butascorroborativethereof;andsoundpracticalgeologists—likeHughMiller，inhis"FootprintsoftheCreator，"andProfessorSedgwick，intheinvaluablenotestohis"DiscourseontheStudiesofCambridge"—
　　havewieldedindefenceofChristianitytheverysciencewhichwasfaithlesslyandcowardlyexpectedtosubvertit。
　　Butifyouseek，reader，ratherforpleasurethanforwisdom，youcanfinditinsuchstudies，pureandundefiled。
　　Happy，truly，isthenaturalist。Hehasnotimeformelancholydreams。Theearthbecomestohimtransparent;everywhereheseessignificancies，harmonies，laws，chainsofcauseandeffectendlesslyinterlinked，whichdrawhimoutofthenarrowsphereofself—interestandself—pleasing，intoapureandwholesomeregionofsolemnjoyandwonder。HegoesupsomeSnowdonvalley;tohimitisasolemnspot（thoughunnoticedbyhiscompanions），wherethestag’s—hornclubmossceasestostraggleacrosstheturf，andthetuftedalpineclubmosstakesitsplace：forheisnowinanewworld;aregionwhoseclimateiseternallyinfluencedbysomefreshlaw（afterwhichhevainlyguesseswithasighathisownignorance），whichrenderslifeimpossibletoonespecies，possibletoanother。Anditisastillmoresolemnthoughttohim，thatitwasnotalwaysso;thataeonsandagesback，thatrockwhichhepassedathousandfeetbelowwasfringed，notasnowwithfernandbluebugle，andwhitebramble—flowers，butperhapswiththealp—
　　roseandthe"gemsen—kraut"ofMontBlanc，atleastwithAlpineSaxifrageswhichhavenowretreatedathousandfeetupthemountainside，andwiththeblueSnow—Gentian，andtheCanadianSedum，whichhaveallbutvanishedoutoftheBritishIsles。Andwhatisitwhichtellshimthatstrangestory？Yonsmoothandroundedsurfaceofrock，polished，remark，acrossthestrataandagainstthegrain;
　　andfurrowedhereandthere，asifbyirontalons，withlongparallelscratches。Itwasthecrawlingofaglacierwhichpolishedthatrock—face;thestonesfallenfromSnowdonpeakintothehalf—liquidlakeoficeabove，whichploughedthosefurrows。
　　AEonsandaeonsago，beforethetimewhenAdamfirst"EmbracedhisEveinhappyhour，AndeverybirdinEdenburstIncarol，everybudinflower，"
　　thosemarkswerethere;therecordsofthe"Ageofice;"slight，truly;tobeeffacedbythenextfarmerwhoneedstobuildawall;
　　butunmistakeable，boundlessinsignificance，likeCrusoe’sonesavagefootprintonthesea—shore;andthenaturalistacknowledgesthefinger—markofGod，andwonders，andworships。
　　Happy，especially，isthesportsmanwhoisalsoanaturalist：forasherovesinpursuitofhisgame，overhillsorupthebedsofstreamswherenoonebutasportsmaneverthinksofgoing，hewillbecertaintoseethingsnoteworthy，whichthemerenaturalistwouldneverfind，simplybecausehecouldneverguessthattheyweretheretobefound。Idonotspeakmerelyoftherarebirdswhichmaybeshot，thecuriousfactsastothehabitsoffishwhichmaybeobserved，greatasthesepleasuresare。Ispeakofthescenery，theweather，thegeologicalformationofthecountry，itsvegetation，andthelivinghabitsofitsdenizens。Asportsman，outinallweathers，andoftendependentforsuccessonhisknowledgeof"whattheskyisgoingtodo，"hasopportunitiesforbecomingameteorologistwhichnoonebesidebutasailorpossesses;andonehasoftenlongedforascientificgamekeeperorhuntsman，who，bydiscoveringalawforthemysteriousandseeminglycapriciousphenomenaof"scent，"mightperhapsthrowlightonahundreddarkpassagesofhygrometry。Thefisherman，too，—whataninexhaustibletreasuryofwonderliesathisfeet，inthesubaqueousworldofthecommonestmountainburn！Allthelawswhichmouldaworldaretherebusy，ifhebutknewit，fatteninghistroutforhim，andmakingthemrisetothefly，bystrangeelectricinfluences，atonehourratherthanatanother。
　　Manyagoodgeognosticlesson，too，bothastothenatureofacountry’srocks，andastothelawsbywhichstrataaredeposited，mayanobservingmanlearnashewadesupthebedofatrout—
　　stream;nottomentionthestrangeformsandhabitsofthetribesofwater—insects。Moreover，nogoodfishermanbutknows，tohissorrow，thatthereareplentyofminutes，ay，hours，ineachday’sfishinginwhichhewouldberightgladofanyemploymentbetterthantryingto"Callspiritsfromthevastydeep，"
　　whowillnot"Comewhenyoudocallforthem。"
　　Whattodo，then？Youaresitting，perhaps，inyourcoracle，uponsomemountaintarn，waitingforawind，andwaitinginvain。
　　"Keineluftankeineseite，Todes—stillef乺chterlich;"
　　asG攖hehasit—
　　"Undderschiffersiehtbek乵mertGlattefl刢heringsumher。"
　　Youpaddletotheshoreonthesidewhencethewindoughttocome，ifithadanyspiritinit;tiethecoracletoastone，lightyourcigar，liedownonyourbackuponthegrass，grumble，andfinallyfallasleep。Inthemeanwhile，probably，thebreezehascomeon，andtherehasbeenhalf—an—hour’slivelyfishingcurl;andyouwakejustintimetoseethelastrippleofitsneakingoffattheothersideofthelake，leavingallasdead—calmasbefore。
　　Nowhowmuchbetter，insteadoffallingasleep，tohavewalkedquietlyroundthelakeside，andaskedofyourownbrainsandofNaturethequestion，"Howdidthislakecomehere？Whatdoesitmean？"
　　Itisaholeintheearth。True，buthowwastheholemade？Theremusthavebeenhugeforcesatworktoformsuchachasm。Probablythemountainwasactuallyopenedfromwithinbyanearthquake;andwhenthestratafelltogetheragain，theportionateitherendofthechasm，beingperhapscrushedtogetherwithgreaterforce，remainedhigherthanthecentre，andsothewaterlodgedbetweenthem。Perhapsitwasformedthus。Youwillatleastagreethatitsformationmusthavebeenagrandsightenough，andoneduringwhichaspectatorwouldhavehadsomedifficultyinkeepinghisfooting。
　　Andwhenyoulearnthatthisconvulsionprobablytookplusatthebottomofanoceanhundredsofthousandsofyearsago，youhaveatleastafewthoughtsoverwhichtoruminate，whichwillmakeyouatoncetoobusytogrumble，andashamedtogrumble。
　　Yet，afterall，Ihardlythinkthelakewasformedinthisway，andsuspectthatitmayhavebeendryforagesafteritemergedfromtheprimevalwaves，andSnowdoniawasapalm—fringedislandinatropicsea。Letuslooktheplaceovermorefully。
　　Youseethelakeisnearlycircular;onthesidewherewestandthepebblybeachisnotsixfeetabovethewater，andslopesawaysteeplyintothevalleybehindus，whilebeforeusitshelvesgraduallyintothelake;fortyyardsout，asyouknow，thereisnottenfeetwater;andthenasteepbank，theedgewhereofweandthebigtroutknowwell，sinkssuddenlytounknowndepths。Ontheoppositeside，thatflat—toppedwallofrocktowersupshorelessintothesky，sevenhundredfeetperpendicular;thedeepestwaterofallweknowisatitsveryfoot。Rightandleft，twoshouldersofdownslopeintothelake。Nowturnroundandlookdownthegorge。Remarkthatthispebblebankonwhichwestandreachessomefiftyyardsdownward：youseetheloosestonespeepingouteverywhere。Wemayfairlysupposethatwestandonadamofloosestones，ahundredfeetdeep。
　　Butwhyloosestones？—andifso，whatmatter？andwhatwonder？
　　Therearerockscroppingouteverywheredownthehill—side。
　　Becauseifyouwilltakeuponeofthesestonesandcrackitacross，youwillseethatitisnotofthesamestuffasthosesaidrocks。Stepintothenextfieldandsee。ThatrockisthecommonSnowdonslate，whichweseeeverywhere。Thetwoshouldersofdown，rightandleft，areslate，too;youcanseethatataglance。Butthestonesofthepebblebankareaclose—grained，yellow—spottedrock。TheyareSyenite;and（youmaybelievemeornot，asyouwill）theywereonceuponatimeintheconditionofahastypuddingheatedtosome800degreesofFahrenheit，andinthatconditionshovedtheirwayupsomewhereorotherthroughtheseslates。Butwhere？whenceonearthdidtheseSyenitepebblescome？
　　Letuswalkroundtothecliffontheoppositesideandsee。Itisworthwhile;forevenifmyguessbewrong，thereisgoodspinningwithabrassminnowroundtheanglesoftherocks。
　　Nowsee。Betweenthecliff—footandtheslopingdownisacrack，endinginagully;thenearersideisofslate，andthefurtherside，thecliffitself，is—why，thewholecliffiscomposedoftheverysamestoneasthepebbleridge。
　　Now，mygoodfriend，howdidthesepebblesgetthreehundredyardsacrossthelake？Hundredsoftons，someofthemthreefeetlong：
　　whocarriedthemacross？TheoldCymrywerenotlikelytoamusethemselvesbymakingsuchabreakwateruphereinNo—man’s—land，twothousandfeetabovethesea：butsomebodyorsomethingmusthavecarriedthem;forstonesdonotfly，norswimeither。
　　Shotoutofavolcano？Asyouseemdeterminedtohaveaprodigy，itmayaswellbeasufficientlyhugeone。
　　Well—thesestonesliealtogether;andavolcanowouldhavehardlymadesocompactashot，notbeinginthehabitofusingEley’swirecartridges。OurnexthopeofasolutionliesinJohnJones，whocarriedupthecoracle。Hailhim，andaskhimwhatisonthetopofthatcliff……So，"Plainsheandpogshe，andanotherLlyn。"
　　Verygood。Now，doesitnotstrikeyouthatthiswholecliffhasaremarkablysmoothandplasteredlook，likeahare’srunupanearthbank？Anddoyounotseethatitispolishedthusonlyoverthelake？thatassoonasthecliffabutsonthedownsrightandleft，itformspinnacles，caves，brokenangularboulders？Syeniteusuallydoessoinourdampclimate，fromthe"weathering"effectoffrostandrain：whyhasitnotdonesooverthelake？Onthatpartsomething（giantsperhaps）hasbeenscramblingupordownonaverylargescale，andsorubbedoffeverycornerwhichwasinclinedtocomeaway，tillthesolidcoreoftherockwasbared。Andmaynotthosemysteriousgiantshavehadahandincarryingthestonesacrossthelake？……Really，Iamnotaltogetherjesting。Thinkawhilewhatagentcouldpossiblyhaveproducedeitheroneorbothoftheseeffects？
　　Thereisbutone;andthat，ifyouhavebeenanAlpinetraveller—
　　muchmoreifyouhavebeenaChamoishunter—youhaveseenmanyatime（whetheryouknewitornot）attheverysamework。
　　Ice？Yes;ice;Hrymirthefrost—giant，andnooneelse。Andifyouwilllookatthefacts，youwillseehowicemayhavedoneit。
　　OurfriendJohnJones’sreportofplainsandbogsandalakeabovemakesitquitepossiblethatinthe"Iceage"（GlacialEpoch，asthebig—word—mongerscallit）therewasabovethatcliffagreatneve，orsnowfield，suchasyouhaveseenoftenintheAlpsattheheadofeachglacier。Overthefaceofthiscliffaglacierhascrawleddownfromthatneve，polishingthefaceoftherockinitsdescent：butthesnow，havingnolargeanddeepoutlet，hasnotsliddowninasufficientstreamtoreachthevalebelow，andformaglacierofthefirstorder;andhasthereforestoppedshortontheothersideofthelake，asaglacierofthesecondorder，whichendsinanice—cliffhanginghighuponthemountainside，andkeptfromfurtherprogressbydailymelting。IfyouhaveevergoneuptheMerdeGlacetotheTacul，yousawamagnificentspecimenofthissortonyourrighthand，justoppositetheTacul，intheGlacierdeTrelaporte，whichcomesdownfromtheAiguilledeCharmoz。
　　Thisexplainsourpebble—ridge。Thestoneswhichtheglacierrubbedoffthecliffbeneathititcarriedforward，slowlybutsurely，tilltheysawthelightagaininthefaceoftheice—cliff，anddroppedoutofitunderthemeltingofthesummersun，toformahugedamacrosstheravine;till，the"Iceage"past，amoregenialclimatesucceeded，andneveandglaciermeltedaway：butthe"moraine"ofstonesdidnot，andremainstothisday，asthedamwhichkeepsupthewatersofthelake。
　　Thereismyexplanation。Ifyoucanfindabetter，do：butrememberalwaysthatitmustincludeananswerto—"Howdidthestonesgetacrossthelake？"
　　Now，reader，wehavehadnoabstrusesciencehere，nolongwords，notevenamicroscopeorabook：andyetwe，astwoplainsportsmen，havegoneback，orbeenledbackbyfactandcommonsense，intothemostawfulandsublimedepths，intoaneposofthedestructionandre—creationofaformerworld。
　　Thisisbutasingleinstance;Imightgivehundreds。Thisone，nevertheless，mayhavesomeeffectinawakeningyoutotheboundlessworldofwonderswhichisallaroundyou，andmakeyouaskyourselfseriously，"WhatbranchofNaturalHistoryshallI
　　begintoinvestigate，ifitbebutforafewweeks，thissummer？"
　　TowhichIanswer，Try"theWondersoftheShore。"Therearealongeverysea—beachmorestrangethingstobeseen，andthosetobeseeneasily，thaninanyotherfieldofobservationwhichyouwillfindintheseislands。Andontheshoreonlywillyouhavetheenjoymentoffindingnewspecies，ofaddingyourmitetothetreasuresofscience。
　　FornotonlytheEnglishferns，butthenaturalhistoryofallourlandspecies，arenowwell—nighexhausted。Ourhomebotanistsandornithologistsarespendingtheirtimenow，perforce，inverifyingafewobscurespecies，andbemoaningthemselves，likeAlexander，thattherearenomoreworldslefttoconquer。Forthegeologist，indeed，andtheentomologist，especiallyintheremoterdistricts，muchremainstobedone，butonlyataheavyoutlayoftime，labour，andstudy;andthedilettante（anditisfordilettanti，likemyself，thatIprincipallywrite）mustbecontenttotreadinthetracksofgreatermenwhohaveprecededhim，andacceptatsecondorthirdhandtheirforegoneconclusions。
　　Butthisismostunsatisfactory;foringivingupdiscovery，onegivesuponeofthehighestenjoymentsofNaturalHistory。Thereisamysteriousdelightinthediscoveryofanewspecies，akintothatofseeingforthefirsttime，intheirnativehaunts，plantsoranimalsofwhichonehastillthenonlyread。Some，surely，whoreadthesepageshaveexperiencedthatlatterdelight;and，thoughtheymightfindithardtodefinewhencethepleasurearose，knowwellthatitwasasolidpleasure，thememoryofwhichtheywouldnotgiveupforhardcash。Some，surely，canrecollect，attheirfirstsightoftheAlpineSoldanella，theRhododendron，ortheblackOrchis，growingupontheedgeoftheeternalsnow，athrillofemotionnotunmixedwithawe;asensethattheywere，asitwere，broughtfacetofacewiththecreaturesofanotherworld;
　　thatNaturewasindependentofthem，notmerelytheyofher;thattreeswerenotmerelymadetobuildtheirhouses，orherbstofeedtheircattle，astheylookedonthosewildgardensamidthewreathsoftheuntroddensnow，whichhadliftedtheirgayflowerstothesunyearafteryearsincethefoundationoftheworld，takingnoheedofman，andallthecoilwhichhekeepsinthevalleysfarbelow。
　　Andeven，totakeasimplerinstance，therearethosewhowillexcuse，orevenapproveof，awriterforsayingthat，amongthememoriesofamonth’seventfultour，thosewhichstandoutasbeacon—points，thoseroundwhichalltheothersgroupthemselves，arethefirstwolf—trackbytheroad—sideintheKyllwald;thefirstsightoftheblueandgreenRoller—birds，walkingbehindtheploughlikerooksinthetobacco—fieldsofWittlich;thefirstballofOlivinescrapedoutofthevolcanicslag—heapsoftheDreisser—
　　Weiher;thefirstpairoftheLesserBustardflusheduponthedownsoftheMosel—kopf;thefirstsightofthecloudofwhiteEphemerae，flutteringinthedusklikeasummersnowstormbetweenusandtheblackcliffsoftheRheinstein，whilethebroadRhinebeneathflashedblood—redintheblazeofthelightningandthefiresoftheMausenthurm—aluridAcheronabovewhichseemedtohovertenthousandunburiedghosts;andlast，butnotleast，onthelipofthevastMosel—kopfcrater—justabovethepointwheretheweightofthefierylakehasburstthesideofthegreatslag—cup，andrushedforthbetweentwocliffsofclink—stoneacrossthedowns，inaclangingstreamoffire，damminguprivulets，andblastingitspaththroughforests，farawaytowardthevalleyoftheMoselle—
　　thesightofanobjectforwhichwasforgottenforthemomentthatbattle—fieldoftheTitansatourfeet，andthegloriouspanorama，HundsruckandTaunus，SiebengebirgeandArdennes，andallthecraterpeaksaround;andwhichwas—smilenot，reader—ourfirstyellowfoxglove。
　　Butwhatiseventhistothedelightoffindinganewspecies？—ofrescuing（asitseemstoyou）onemorethoughtoftheDivinemindfromHela，andtherealmsoftheunknown，unclassified，uncomprehended？Asitseemstoyou：thoughinrealityitonlyseemsso，inaworldwhereinnotasparrowfallstothegroundunnoticedbyourFatherwhoisinheaven。
　　Thetruthis，thepleasureoffindingnewspeciesistoogreat;itismorallydangerous;foritbringswithitthetemptationtolookonthethingfoundasyourownpossession，allbutyourowncreation;toprideyourselfonit，asifGodhadnotknownitforagessince;eventosquabblejealouslyfortherightofhavingitnamedafteryou，andofbeingrecordedintheTransactionsofI—
　　know—not—whatSocietyasitsfirstdiscoverer：—asifalltheangelsinheavenhadnotbeenadmiringit，longbeforeyouwerebornorthoughtof。
　　Buttobeforewarnedistobeforearmed;andIseriouslycounselyoutotryifyoucannotfindsomethingnewthissummeralongthecoasttowhichyouaregoing。Thereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldnotbesosuccessfulasafriendofminewho，withaveryslightsmatteringofscience，andverydesultoryresearch，obtainedinonewinterfromtheTorbayshoresthreeentirelynewspecies，besideseveralrareanimalswhichhadescapedallnaturalistssincethelynx—eyeofColonelMontagudiscernedthemfortyyearsago。
　　Anddonotdespisethecreaturesbecausetheyareminute。NodoubtweshouldmostofuspreferdiscoveringmonstrousapesinthetropicalforestsofBorneo，orstumblinguponherdsofgiganticAmmonsheepamidtherhododendronthicketsoftheHimalaya：butitcannotbe;and"heisafool，"saysoldHesiod，"whoknowsnothowmuchbetterhalfisthanthewhole。"Letusbecontentwithwhatiswithinourreach。Anddoubtnotthatinthesetinycreaturesaremysteriesmorethanweshalleverfathom。
　　Thezoophytesandmicroscopicanimalculeswhichpeopleeveryshoreandeverydropofwater，havebeennowraisedtoarankinthehumanmindmoreimportant，perhaps，thaneventhosegiganticmonsterswhosemodelsfillthelakeattheCrystalPalace。Theresearchwhichhasbeenbestowed，forthelastcentury，upontheseonceunnoticedatomieshaswellrepaiditself;forfromnobranchofphysicalsciencehasmorebeenlearntoftheSCIENTIA
　　SCIENTIARUM，thepricelessartoflearning;nobranchofsciencehasmoreutterlyconfoundedawisdomofthewise，shatteredtopiecessystemsandtheories，andtheidolatryofarbitrarynames，andtaughtmantobesilentwhilehisMakerspeaks，thanthisapparentpedantryofzoophytology，inwhichourolddistinctionsof"animal，""vegetable，"and"mineral"aretremblinginthebalance，seeminglyreadytovanishliketheirfellows—"thefourelements"
　　offire，earth，air，andwater。Nobranchofsciencehashelpedsomuchtosweepawaythatsensuousidolatryofmeresize，whichtemptsmantoadmireandrespectobjectsinproportiontothenumberoffeetorincheswhichtheyoccupyinspace。Nobranchofscience，moreover，hasbeenmorehumblingtotheboastedrapidityandomnipotenceofthehumanreason，orhasmoretaughtthosewhohaveeyestosee，andheartstounderstand，howweakandwayward，staggeringandslow，arethestepsofourfallenrace（rapidandtriumphantenoughinthatbroadroadoftheorieswhichleadstointellectualdestruction）whensoevertheytreadthenarrowpathoftruescience，whichleads（ifImaybeallowedtotransferourLord’sgreatparablefrommoraltointellectualmatters）toLife;
　　tothelivingandpermanentknowledgeoflivingthingsandofthelawsoftheirexistence。Humbling，truly，toonewholooksbacktothesummerof1754，whengoodMr。Ellis，thewiseandbenevolentWestIndianmerchant，readbeforetheRoyalSocietyhispaperprovingtheanimalnatureofcorals，andfollowedituptheyearafterbythat"EssaytowardaNaturalHistoryoftheCorallines，andotherlikeMarineProductionsoftheBritishCoasts，"whichformsthegroundworkofallourknowledgeonthesubjecttothisday。ThechapterinDr。G。Johnston’s"BritishZoophytes，"p。407，ortheexcellentlittleRESUMEthereofinDr。Landsborough’sbookonthesamesubject，isreallyasaddeningone，asoneseeshowlothwere，notmerelydreamerslike，MarsigliorBonnet，butsound—
　　headedmenlikePallasandLinne，togiveuptheoldsense—boundfancy，thatthesecoralswerevegetables，andtheirpolypessomesortoflivingflowers。Yet，afterall，thereareexcusesforthem。Withoutourimprovedmicroscopes，andwhilethesciencesofcomparativeanatomyandchemistrywereyetinfantile，itwasdifficulttobelievewhatwasthetruth;andforthissimplereason：that，asusual，thetruth，whendiscovered，turnedoutfarmorestartlingandprodigiousthanthedreamswhichmenhadhastilysubstitutedforit;morestrangethanOvid’soldstorythatthecoralwassoftunderthesea，andhardenedbyexposuretoair;thanMarsigli’snotion，thatthecoral—polypeswereitsflowers;thanDr。Parsons’contemptuousdenial，thatthesecomplicatedformscouldbe"theoperationsoflittle，poor，helpless，jelly—likeanimals，andnottheworkofmoresurevegetation;"thanBakerthemicroscopist’sdetailedtheoryoftheirbeingproducedbythecrystallizationofthemineralsaltsinthesea—water，justashehadseen"theparticlesofmercuryandcopperinaquafortisassumetree—likeforms，orcuriousdelineationsofmossesandminuteshrubsonslatesandstones，owingtotheshootingofsaltsintermixedwithmineralparticles："—onesmilesatitnow：yetthesemenwerenolesssensiblethanwe;andifweknowbetter，itisonlybecauseothermen，andthosefewandfarbetween，havelabouredamiddisbelief，ridicule，anderror;needingagainandagaintoretracetheirsteps，andtounlearnmorethantheylearnt，seemingtogobackwardswhentheywerereallyprogressingmost：
　　andnowwehaveenteredintotheirlabours，andfindthem，asI
　　havejustsaid，morewondrousthanallthepoeticdreamsofaBonnetoraDarwin。Forwho，afterall，totakeafewbroadinstances（nottoenlargeonthegreatroot—wonderofanumberofdistinctindividualsconnectedbyacommonlife，andformingaseemingplantinvariableineachspecies），wouldhavedreamedofthe"bizarreries"whichtheseveryzoophytespresentintheirclassification？
　　Yougodowntoanyshoreafteragaleofwind，andpickupafewdelicatelittlesea—ferns。Youhavetwoinyourhand，whichprobablylooktoyou，evenunderagoodpocketmagnifier，identicalornearlyso。（1）Butyouaretoldtoyoursurprise，thathoweverlikethedeadhornypolypidomswhichyouholdmaybe，thetwospeciesofanimalwhichhaveformedthemareatleastasfarapartinthescaleofcreationasaquadrupedisfromafish。YouseeinsomeMusselburghdredger’sboatthephosphorescentsea—pen（unknowninEngland），alivingfeather，ofthelookandconsistencyofacock’scomb;orthestillstrangersea—rush（VIRGULARIAMIRABILIS），aspineafootlong，withhundredsofrosyfloweretsarrangedinhalf—ringsrounditfromendtoend;andyouaretoldthatthesearethecongenersofthegreatstonyVenus’sfanwhichhangsinseamen’scottages，broughthomefromtheWestIndies。Andereyouhavedonewondering，youhearthatallthreearecongenersoftheugly，shapeless，white"deadman’shand，"whichyoumaypickupafterastormonanyshore。Youhaveabeautifulmadreporeorbrain—stoneonyourmantel—piece，broughthomefromsomePacificcoral—reef。Youaretobelievethatitsfirstcousinsarethesoft，slimysea—anemoneswhichyouseeexpandingtheirlivingflowersineveryrock—pool—bagsofsea—water，withoutatraceofboneorstone。Youmustbelieveit;forinscience，asinhighermatters，hewhowillwalksurely，must"walkbyfaithandnotbysight。"
　　Thesearebutafewofthewonderswhichtheclassificationofmarineanimalsaffords;andonlydrawnfromoneclassofthem，thoughalmostascommonamongeveryotherfamilyofthatsubmarineworldwhereofSpensersang—
　　"Oh，whatanendlessworkhaveIinhand，Tocountthesea’sabundantprogeny！
　　Whosefruitfulseedfarpasseththoseinland，Andalsothosewhichwoninth’azuresky，Formuchmoreearthtotellthestarsonhigh，Albetheyendlessseeminestimation，Thantorecountthesea’sposterity;
　　Sofertilebethefloudsingeneration，Sohugetheirnumbers，andsonumberlesstheirnation。"
　　Butthesefewexampleswillbesufficienttoaccountbothfortheslowpaceatwhichtheknowledgeofsea—animalshasprogressed，andfortheallurementwhichmenofthehighestattainmentshavefound，andstillfind，init。Andwhentothisweaddthemarvelswhichmeetusateverystepintheanatomyandthereproductionofthesecreatures，andinthechemicalandmechanicalfunctionswhichtheyfulfilinthegreateconomyofourplanet，wecannotwonderatfindingthatbookswhichtreatofthemcarrywiththemacertaincharmofromance，andfeedtheplayoffancy，andthatloveofthemarvellouswhichisinherentinman，atthesametimethattheyleadthereadertomoresolemnandloftytrainsofthought，whichcanfindtheirfullsatisfactiononlyinself—forgetfulworship，andthathymnofpraisewhichgoesupeverfromlandandsea，aswellasfromsaintsandmartyrsandtheheavenlyhost，"OallyeworksoftheLord，andye，too，spiritsandsoulsoftherighteous，praiseHim，andmagnifyHimforever！"
　　Ihavesaid，thattherewereexcusesfortheoldcontemptofthestudyofNaturalHistory。Ihavesaid，too，itmaybehoped，enoughtoshowthatcontempttobenowill—founded。Butstill，therearethosewhoregarditasamereamusement，andthatasasomewhateffeminateone;andthinkthatitcanatbesthelptowhileawayaleisurehourharmlessly，andperhapsusefully，asasubstituteforcoarsersports，orforthereadingofnovels。
　　Those，however，whohavefolloweditout，especiallyonthesea—
　　shore，knowbetter。Theycantellfromexperience，thatoverandaboveitsaccessorycharmsofpuresea—breezes，andwildramblesbycliffandloch，thestudyitselfhashadaweightymoraleffectupontheirheartsandspirits。TherearethosewhocanwellunderstandhowthegoodandwiseJohnEllis，amidallhisphilanthropiclaboursforthegoodoftheWestIndies，whilehewasspendinghisintellectandfortuneinintroducingintoourtropicsettlementsthebread—fruit，themangosteen，andeveryplantandseedwhichhehopedmightbeusefulformedicine，agriculture，andcommerce，couldyetfeelhimselfjustifiedindevotinglargeportionsofhiseverwell—spenttimetothefightingthebattleofthecorallinesagainstParsonsandtherest，andeveninmeasuringpenswithLinne，theprinceofnaturalists。
　　TherearethosewhocansympathisewiththegallantoldScotchofficermentionedbysomewriteronsea—weeds，who，desperatelywoundedinthebreachatBadajos，andasharerinallthetoilsandtriumphsofthePeninsularwar，couldinhisoldageshowararesea—weedwithasmuchtriumphashiswell—earnedmedals，andtalkoveratinyspore—capsulewithasmuchzestastherecordsofsiegesandbattles。Whynot？Thattemperwhichmadehimagoodsoldiermayverywellhavemadehimagoodnaturalistalso。Thelateillustriousgeologist，SirRoderickMurchison，wasalsoanoldPeninsularofficer。Idoubtnotthatwithhim，too，theexperiencesofwarmayhavehelpedtofithimforthestudiesofpeace。Certainly，thebestnaturalist，asfaraslogicalacumen，aswellasearnestresearch，isconcerned，whomEnglandhaseverseen，wastheDevonshiresquire，ColonelGeorgeMontagu，ofwhomthelateE。Forbeswellsays，that"hadhebeeneducatedaphysiologist"（andnot，ashewas，asoldierandasportsman），"andmadethestudyofNaturehisaimandnothisamusement，hiswouldhavebeenoneofthegreatestnamesinthewholerangeofBritishscience。"Iquestion，nevertheless，whetherhewouldnothavelostmorethanhewouldhavegainedbyadifferenttraining。Itmighthavemadehimamorelearnedsystematizer;butwouldithavequickenedinhimthat"seeing"eyeofthetruesoldierandsportsman，whichmakesMontagu’sdescriptionsindelibleword—
　　pictures，instinctwithlifeandtruth？"Thereisnoquestion，"
　　saysE。Forbes，afterbewailingthevaguenessofmostnaturalists，"abouttheidentityofanyanimalMontagudescribed……Hewasaforward—lookingphilosopher;hespokeofeverycreatureasifoneexceedinglikeit，yetdifferentfromit，wouldbewashedupbythewavesnexttide。Consequentlyhisdescriptionsarepermanent。"
　　Scientificmenwillrecognizeinthisthehighestpraisewhichcanbebestowed，becauseitattributestohimthehighestfaculty—TheArtofSeeing;butthestudyandthebookwouldnothavegiventhat。ItisGod’sgiftwheresoevereducated：butitstrueschool—
　　roomisthecampandtheocean，theprairieandtheforest;active，self—helpinglife，whichcangrapplewithNatureherself：notmerelywithprinted—booksabouther。LetnoonethinkthatthissameNaturalHistoryisapursuitfittedonlyforeffeminateorpedanticmen。Ishouldsay，rather，thatthequalificationsrequiredforaperfectnaturalistareasmanyandasloftyaswererequired，byoldchivalrouswriters，fortheperfectknight—errantoftheMiddleAges：for（tosketchanideal，ofwhichIamhappytosayourracenowaffordsmanyafairrealization）ourperfectnaturalistshouldbestronginbody;abletohauladredge，climbarock，turnaboulder，walkallday，uncertainwhereheshalleatorrest;readytofacesunandrain，windandfrost，andtoeatordrinkthankfullyanything，howevercoarseormeagre;heshouldknowhowtoswimforhislife，topullanoar，sailaboat，andridethefirsthorsewhichcomestohand;and，finally，heshouldbeathoroughlygoodshot，andaskilfulfisherman;and，ifhegofarabroad，beableonoccasiontofightforhislife。
　　Forhismoralcharacter，hemust，likeaknightofold，befirstofallgentleandcourteous，readyandabletoingratiatehimselfwiththepoor，theignorant，andthesavage;notonlybecauseforeigntravelwillbeoftenotherwiseimpossible，butbecauseheknowshowmuchinvaluablelocalinformationcanbeonlyobtainedfromfishermen，miners，hunters，andtillersofthesoil。Next，heshouldbebraveandenterprising，andwithalpatientandundaunted;
　　notmerelyintravel，butininvestigation;knowing（asLordBaconmighthaveputit）thatthekingdomofNature，likethekingdomofheaven，mustbetakenbyviolence，andthatonlytothosewhoknocklongandearnestlydoesthegreatmotheropenthedoorsofhersanctuary。Hemustbeofareverentturnofmindalso;notrashlydiscreditinganyreports，howevervagueandfragmentary;givingmancreditalwaysforsomegermoftruth，andgivingNaturecreditforaninexhaustiblefertilityandvariety，whichwillkeephimhislifelongalwaysreverent，yetneversuperstitious;wonderingatthecommonest，butnotsurprisedbythemoststrange;freefromtheidolsofsizeandsensuousloveliness;abletoseegrandeurintheminutestobjects，beauty，inthemostungainly;estimatingeachthingnotcarnally，asthevulgardo，byitssizeoritspleasantnesstothesenses，butspiritually，bytheamountofDivinethoughtrevealedtoMantherein;holdingeveryphenomenonworththenotingdown;believingthateverypebbleholdsatreasure，everybudarevelation;makingitapointofconsciencetopassovernothingthroughlazinessorhastiness，lestthevisiononceofferedanddespisedshouldbewithdrawn;andlookingateveryobjectasifhewerenevertobeholditagain。
　　Moreover，hemustkeephimselffreefromallthoseperturbationsofmindwhichnotonlyweakenenergy，butdarkenandconfusetheinductivefaculty;fromhasteandlaziness，frommelancholy，testiness，pride，andallthepassionswhichmakemenseeonlywhattheywishtosee。Ofsolemnandscrupulousreverencefortruth;ofthehabitofmindwhichregardseachfactanddiscovery，notasourownpossession，butasthepossessionofitsCreator，independentofus，ourtastes，ourneeds，orourvain—glory，Ihardlyneedtospeak;foritistheveryessenceofanature’sfaculty—theverytenureofhisexistence：andwithouttruthfulnesssciencewouldbeasimpossiblenowaschivalrywouldhavebeenofold。
　　Andlast，butnotleast，theperfectnaturalistshouldhaveinhimtheveryessenceoftruechivalry，namely，self—devotion;thedesiretoadvance，nothimselfandhisownfameorwealth，butknowledgeandmankind。Heshouldhavethisgreatvirtue;andinspiteofmanyshortcomings（forwhatmanistherewholivethandsinnethnot？），naturalistsasaclasshaveittoadegreewhichmakesthemstandoutmosthonourablyinthemidstofaself—seekingandmammonitegeneration，inclinedtovalueeverythingbyitsmoneyprice，itsprivateutility。Thespiritwhichgivesfreely，becauseitknowsthatithasreceivedfreely;whichcommunicatesknowledgewithouthopeofreward，withoutjealousyandrivalry，tofellow—
　　studentsandtotheworld;whichiscontenttodelveandtoilcomparativelyunknown，thatfromitsobscureandseeminglyworthlessresultsothersmayderivepleasure，andevenbuildupgreatfortunes，andchangetheveryfaceofcitiesandlands，bythepracticaluseofsomestraytalismanwhichthepoorstudenthasinventedinhislaboratory;—thisisthespiritwhichisabroadamongourscientificmen，toagreaterdegreethaniteverhasbeenamonganybodyofmenformanyacenturypast;andmightwellbecopiedbythosewhoprofessdeeperpurposesandamoreexaltedcalling，thanthediscoveryofanewzoophyte，ortheclassificationofamoorlandcrag。
　　Anditisthesequalities，howeverimperfectlytheymayberealizedinanyindividualinstance，whichmakeourscientificmen，asaclass，thewholesomestandpleasantestofcompanionsabroad，andathomethemostblameless，simple，andcheerful，inalldomesticrelations;menforthemostpartofmanfulheads，andyetofchildlikehearts，whohaveturnedtoquietstudy，intheselatepipingtimesofpeace，anintellectualhealthandcouragewhichmighthavemadethem，inmorefierceandtroubloustimes，capableofdoinggoodservicewithverydifferentinstrumentsthanthescalpelandthemicroscope。
　　Ihavebeensketchinganideal：butonewhichIseriouslyrecommendtotheconsiderationofallparents;for，thoughitbeimpossibleandabsurdtowishthateveryyoungmanshouldgrowupanaturalistbyprofession，yetthisageoffersnomorewholesometraining，bothmoralandintellectual，thanthatwhichisgivenbyinstillingintotheyounganearlytasteforoutdoorphysicalscience。Theeducationofourchildrenisnowmorethaneverapuzzlingproblem，ifbyeducationwemeanthedevelopmentofthewholehumanity，notmerelyofsomearbitrarilychosenpartofit。
　　Howtofeedtheimaginationwithwholesomefood，andteachittodespiseFrenchnovels，andthatsugaredsloughofsentimentalpoetry，incomparisonwithwhichtheoldfairy—talesandballadsweremanfulandrational;howtocounteractthetendencytoshallowedandconceitedsciolism，engenderedbyhearingpopularlecturesonallmannerofsubjects，whichcanonlybereallylearntbysternmethodicstudy;howtogivehabitsofenterprise，patience，accurateobservation，whichthecounting—houseorthelibrarywillneverbestow;aboveall，howtodevelopthephysicalpowers，withoutengenderingbrutalityandcoarseness—arequestionsbecomingdailymoreandmorepuzzling，whiletheyneeddailymoreandmoretobesolved，inanageofenterprise，travel，andemigration，likethepresent。Forthetruthmustbetold，thatthegreatmajorityofmenwhoarenowdistinguishedbycommercialsuccess，havehadatrainingthedirectlyoppositetothatwhichtheyaregivingtotheirsons。Theyareforthemostpartmenwhohavemigratedfromthecountrytothetown，andhadintheiryouthalltheadvantagesofasturdyandmanfulhill—sideorsea—sidetraining;menwhosebodiesweredeveloped，andtheirlungsfedonpurebreezes，longbeforetheybroughttoworkinthecitythebodilyandmentalstrengthwhichtheyhadgainedbylochandmoor。
　　Butitisnotsowiththeirsons。Theirbusinesshabitsarelearntinthecounting—house;agoodschool，doubtless，asfarasitgoes：
　　butonewhichwillexpandnonebutthelowestintellectualfaculties;whichwillmakethemaccurateaccountants，shrewdcomputersandcompetitors，butnevertheoriginatorsofdaringschemes，menableandwillingtogoforthtoreplenishtheearthandsubdueit。Andinthehoursofrelaxation，howmuchoftheirtimeisthrownaway，forwantofanythingbetter，onfrivolity，nottosayonsecretprofligacy，parentsknowtoowell;andoftenshuttheireyesinverydespairtoevilswhichtheyknownothowtocure。Afrightfulmajorityofourmiddle—classyoungmenaregrowingupeffeminate，emptyofallknowledgebutwhattendsdirectlytothemakingofafortune;orrather，tospeakcorrectly，tothekeepingupthefortuneswhichtheirfathershavemadeforthem;whileoftheminority，whoareindeedthinkersandreaders，howmanywomenaswellasmenhaveweseenwearyingtheirsoulswithstudyundirected，oftenmisdirected;cravingtolearn，yetnotknowinghoworwhattolearn;cultivating，withunwholesomeenergy，theheadattheexpenseofthebodyandtheheart;catchingupwiththemostcapriciousself—willonemaniaafteranother，andtossingitawayagainforsomenewphantom;gorgingthememorywithfactswhichnoonehastaughtthemtoarrange，andthereasonwithproblemswhichtheyhavenomethodforsolving;tilltheyfretthemselvesinachronicfeverofthebrain，whichtoooftenurgethemontoplunge，asitwere，tocooltheinwardfire，intotheever—restlessseasofdoubtorofsuperstition。Itisasadpicture。Therearemanywhomayreadthesepageswhoseheartswilltellthemthatitisatrueone。Whatiswantedinthesecasesisamethodicandscientifichabitofmind;andaclassofobjectsonwhichtoexercisethathabit，whichwillfeverneitherthespeculativeintellectnorthemoralsense;andthosephysicalsciencewillgive，asnothingelsecangiveit。
　　Moreover，toreverttoanotherpointwhichwetouchedjustnow，manhasabodyaswellasamind;andwiththevastmajoritytherewillbenoMENSSANAunlesstherebeaCORPUSSANUMforittoinhabit。
　　Andwhatoutdoortrainingtogiveouryouthsis，aswehavealreadysaid，morethaneverpuzzling。Thisdifficultyisfelt，perhaps，lessinScotlandthaninEngland。TheScotchclimatecompelshardiness;theScotchbodilystrengthmakesiteasy;andScotland，withhermountain—toursinsummer，andherfrozenlochsinwinter，herlabyrinthofsea—shore，and，aboveall，thatpricelessboonwhichProvidencehasbestowedonher，inthecontiguityofhergreatcitiestotheloveliestscenery，andthehillswhereeverybreezeishealth，affordsfacilitiesforhealthyphysicallifeunknowntotheEnglishman，whohasnoArthur’sSeattoweringabovehisLondon，noWesternIslandssportingtheoceanfirthsbesidehisManchester。Fieldsports，withtheinvaluabletrainingwhichtheygive，ifnot"Thereasonfirm，"
　　yetstill"Thetemperatewill，Endurance，foresight，strength，andskill，"
　　havebecomeimpossibleforthegreaternumber：andathleticexercisesarenow，inEnglandatleast，becomingmoreandmoreartificializedandexpensive;andareconfinedmoreandmore—withthehonourableexceptionofthefootballgamesinBatterseaPark—
　　toourPublicSchoolsandthetwoelderUniversities。Allhonour，meanwhile，totheVolunteermovement，anditsmoralaswellasitsphysicaleffects。ButitisonlyacomparativelyfewoftheverysturdiestwhoarelikelytobecomeeffectiveVolunteers，andsoreallygainthebenefitsoflearningtobesoldiers。AndyettheyoungmanwhohashadnosubstituteforsuchoccupationswillcutbutasorryfigureinAustralia，Canada，orIndia;andifhestaysathome，willspendmanyapoundindoctors’bills，whichcouldhavebeenbetteremployedelsewhere。"Takingawalk"—asonewouldtakeapilloradraught—seemslikelysoontobecometheonlyformofoutdoorexistencepossiblefortoomanyinhabitantsoftheBritishIsles。Butawalkwithoutanobject，unlessinthemostlovelyandnovelofscenery，isapoorexercise;andasarecreation，utterlynil。Ineverknewtwoyoungladsgooutfora"constitutional，"whodidnot，iftheywerecommonplaceyouths，gossipthewholewayaboutthingsbetterleftunspoken;or，iftheywerecleverones，fallonarguingandbrainsbeatingonpoliticsormetaphysicsfromthemomenttheyleftthedoor，andreturnwiththeirwitsevenmoreheatedandtiredthantheywerewhentheysetout。IcannothelpfancyingthatMiltonmadeamistakeinacertaincelebratedpassage;andthatitwasnot"sittingonahillapart，"buttrampingfourmilesoutandfourmilesinalongaturnpike—road，thathishaplessspiritsdiscoursed"Offate，free—will，foreknowledgeabsolute，Andfoundnoend，inwanderingmazeslost。"
　　Seriously，ifwewishruralwalkstodoourchildrenanygood，wemustgivethemaloveforruralsights，anobjectineverywalk;wemustteachthem—andwecanteachthem—tofindwonderineveryinsect，sublimityineveryhedgerow，therecordsofpastworldsineverypebble，andboundlessfertilityuponthebarrenshore;andso，byteachingthemtomakefulluseofthatlimitedsphereinwhichtheynoware，makethemfaithfulinafewthings，thattheymaybefithereaftertoberulersovermuch。
　　Imayseemtoexaggeratetheadvantagesofsuchstudies;butthequestionafterallisoneofexperience：andIhavehadexperienceenoughandtosparethatwhatIsayistrue。Ihaveseentheyoungmanoffiercepassions，anduncontrollabledaring，expendhealthilythatenergywhichthreateneddailytoplungehimintorecklessness，ifnotintosin，uponhuntingoutandcollecting，throughrockandbog，snowandtempest，everybirdandeggoftheneighbouringforest。Ihaveseenthecultivatedman，cravingfortravelandforsuccessinlife，pentupinthedrudgeryofLondonwork，andyetkeepinghisspiritcalm，andperhapshismoralsallthemorerighteous，byspendingoverhismicroscopeeveningswhichwouldtooprobablyhavegraduallybeenwastedatthetheatre。IhaveseentheyoungLondonbeauty，amidalltheexcitementandtemptationofluxuryandflattery，withherheartpureandhermindoccupiedinaboudoirfullofshellsandfossils，flowersandsea—weeds;keepingherselfunspottedfromtheworld，byconsideringtheliliesofthefield，howtheygrow。AndthereforeitisthatIhailwiththankfulnesseveryfreshbookofNaturalHistory，asafreshboontotheyoung，afreshhelptothosewhohavetoeducatethem。
　　Thegreatestdifficultyinthewayofbeginnersis（asinmostthings）how"tolearntheartoflearning。"Theygoout，search，findlessthantheyexpected，andgivethesubjectupindisappointment。Itisgoodtobegin，therefore，ifpossible，byplayingthepartof"jackal"tosomepractisednaturalist，whowillshowthetyrowheretolook，whattolookfor，and，moreover，whatitisthathehasfound;oftennoeasymattertodiscover。Fortyyearsago，duringanautumn’sworkofdead—leaf—searchingintheDevonwoodsforpooroldDr。Turton，whilehewaswritinghisbookonBritishland—shells，thepresentwriterlearntmoreoftheartofobservingthanhewouldhavelearntinthreeyears’desultoryhuntingonhisownaccount;andhehasoftenregrettedthatnonaturalisthasestablishedshore—lecturesatsomewatering—place，likethoseuphillanddowndalefield—lectureswhich，inpleasantbygoneCambridgedays，ProfessorSedgwickusedtogivetoyounggeologists，andProfessorHenslowtoyoungbotanists。
　　Inthemeanwhile，toshowyousomethingofwhatmaybeseenbythosewhocaretosee，letmetakeyou，inimagination，toashorewhereIwasonceathome，andforwhoserichnessIcanvouch，andchooseourseasonandourdaytostartforth，onsomegloriousSeptemberorOctobermorning，toseewhatlastnight’sequinoctialgalehassweptfromthepopulousshallowsofTorbay，andcastup，highanddry，onPaigntonsands。
　　Torbayisaplacewhichshouldbeasmuchendearedtothenaturalistastothepatriotandtotheartist。Wecannotgazeonitsblueringofwater，andthegreatlimestonebluffswhichboundittothenorthandsouth，withoutaglowpassingthroughourhearts，asweremembertheterribleandgloriouspageantwhichpassedbyinthegloriousJulydaysof1588，whentheSpanishArmadaventuredslowlypastBerryHead，withElizabeth’sgallantpackofDevoncaptains（fortheLondonfleethadnotyetjoined）
　　followingfastinitswake，anddashingintothemidstofthevastline，undismayedbysizeandnumbers，whiletheirkinandfriendsstoodwatchingandprayingonthecliffs，spectatorsofBritain’sSalamis。Thewhitelineofhouses，too，ontheothersideofthebay，isBrixham，famedasthelanding—placeofWilliamofOrange;
　　thestoneonthepier—head，whichmarkshisfirstfootstepsonBritishground，issacredintheeyesofalltrueEnglishWhigs;
　　andclosebystandsthecastleofthesettlerofNewfoundland，SirHumphreyGilbert，Raleigh’shalf—brother，mostlearnedofallElizabeth’sadmiralsinlife，mostpiousandheroicindeath。Andasforscenery，thoughitcanboastofneithermountainpeaknordarkfiord，andwouldseemtameenoughintheeyesofawesternScotorIrishman，yetTorbaysurelyhasasoftbeautyofitsown。
　　Theroundedhillsslopegentlytothesea，spottedwithsquaresofemeraldgrass，andrichredfallowfields，andparksfullofstatelytimbertrees。Longlinesoftallelmsrundowntotheverywater’sedge，theirboughsunwarpedbyanyblast;hereandthereappleorchardsarebendingundertheirloadsoffruit，andnarrowstripsofwater—meadowlinetheglens，wheretheredcattlearealreadylounginginrichestpastures，withintenyardsoftherockypebblebeach。Theshoreissilentnow，thetidefarout：butsixhourshenceitwillbehurlingcolumnsofrosyfoamhighintothesunlight，andsprinklingpassengers，andcattle，andtrimgardenswhichhardlyknowwhatfrostandsnowmaybe，butseetheflowersofautumnmeettheflowersofspring，andtheoldyearlingersmilinglytotwineagarlandforthenew。
　　NowonderthatsuchaspotasTorquay，withitsdeliciousItalianclimate，andendlessvarietyofrichwoodland，flowerylawn，fantasticrock—cavern，andbroadbrighttide—sand，shelteredfromeverywindofheavenexceptthesoftsouth—east，shouldhavebecomeafavouritehaunt，notonlyforinvalids，butfornaturalists。
　　Indeed，itmaywellclaimthehonourofbeingtheoriginalhomeofmarinezoologyandbotanyinEngland，astheFirthofForth，undertheauspicesofSirJ。G。Dalyell，hasbeenforScotland。ForhereworkedMontagu，Turton，andMrs。Griffith，towhoseextraordinarypowersofresearchEnglishmarinebotanyalmostowesitsexistence，andwhosurvivedtoanagelongbeyondthenaturaltermofman，tosee，inhercheerfulandhonouredoldage，thatknowledgebecomepopularandgeneralwhichshepursuedformanyayearunassistedandalone。Here，too，thescientificsuccessionisstillmaintainedbyMr。PengellyandMr。Gosse，thelatterofwhombyhisdelightfuland，happily，well—knownbookshasdonemoreforthestudyofmarinezoologythananyotherlivingman。Torbay，moreover，fromthevarietyofitsrocks，aspects，andsea—floors，wherelimestonesalternatewithtraps，andtrapswithslates，whileatthevalley—mouththesoftsandstonesandhardconglomeratesofthenewredseriesslopedownintothetepidandshallowwaves，affordsanabundanceandvarietyofanimalandvegetablelife，unequalled，perhaps，inanyotherpartofGreatBritain。Itcannotboast，certainly，ofthosestrangedeep—seaformswhichMessrs。
　　Alder，Goodsir，andLaskeydredgeamongthelochsofthewesternHighlands，andthesub—marinemountainglensoftheZetlandsea;
　　butithasitsownvarieties，itsownever—freshnovelties：andinspiteofalltheresearchwhichhasbeenlavishedonitsshores，anaturalistcannot，Isuspect，workthereforawinterwithoutdiscoveringformsnewtoscience，ormeetingwithcuriositieswhichhaveescapedallobservers，sincethelynxeyeofMontaguespiedthemfullfiftyyearsago。
　　Followus，then，reader，inimagination，outofthegaywatering—
　　place，withitsLondonshopsandLondonequipages，alongthebroadroadbeneaththesunnylimestonecliff，tuftedwithgoldenfurze;
　　pastthehugeoaksandgreenslopesofTorAbbey;andpastthefantasticrocksofLivermead，scoopedbythewavesintoalabyrinthofdoubleandtriplecaves，likeHindootemples，upborneonpillarsbandedwithyellowandwhiteandred，aweek’sstudy，informandcolourandchiaro—oscuro，foranyartist;andamileorsofurtheralongapleasantroad，withland—lockedglimpsesofthebay，tothebroadsheetofsandwhichliesbetweenthevillageofPaigntonandthesea—sandstroddenahundredtimesbyMontaguandTurton，perhaps，byDillwynandGaertner，andmanyanotherpioneerofscience。Andoncethere，beforewelookatanythingelse，comedownstraighttotheseamarge;foryonderlies，justleftbytheretiringtide，amassoflifesuchasyouwillseldomseeagain。
　　Itissomewhatugly，perhaps，atfirstsight;forankle—deeparespread，forsometenyardslongbyfivebroad，hugedirtybivalveshells，aslargeasthehand，eachwithitsloathlygreyandblacksiphonshangingout，aconfusedmassofslimydeath。Letuswalkontosomecleanerheap，andleavethese，thegreatLutrariaElliptica，whichhavebeenlyingburiedbythousandsinthesandymud，eachwiththepointofitslongsiphonabovethesurface，suckinginanddrivingoutagainthesaltwateronwhichitfeeds，tilllastnight’sground—swellshiftedthesea—bottom，anddrovethemuphithertoperishhelpless，butnotuseless，onthebeach。
　　See，closebyisanothershellbed，quiteaslarge，butcomelyenoughtopleaseanyeye。Whatavarietyofformsandcoloursarethere，amidthepurpleandolivewreathsofwrack，andbladder—
　　weed，andtangle（ore—weed，astheycallitinthesouth），andthedelicategreenribbonsoftheZostera（theonlyEnglishfloweringplantwhichgrowsbeneaththesea）。Whataretheyall？Whatarethelongwhiterazors？Whatarethedelicategreen—greyscimitars？
　　Whatarethetaperingbrownspires？Whatthetuftsofdelicateyellowplantslikesquirrels’tails，andlobsters’horns，andtamarisks，andfir—trees，andallotherfinelycutanimalandvegetableforms？Whatarethegroupsofgreybladders，withsomethinglikealittlebudatthetip？Whatarethehundredsoflittlepink—stripedpears？Whatthosetinybabies’heads，coveredwithgreypricklesinsteadofhair？Thegreatredstar—fish，whichUlsterchildrencall"thebadman’shands;"andthegreatwhelks，whichtheyouthofMusselburghknowasroaringbuckies，thesewehaveseenbefore;butwhat，ohwhat，aretheredcapsicums？—
　　Yes，whataretheredcapsicums？andwhyaretheypoking，snapping，starting，crawling，tumblingwildlyovereachother，rattlingaboutthehugemahoganycockles，asbigasachild’stwofists，outofwhichtheyareprotruded？Markthemwell，foryouwillperhapsneverseethemagain。TheyareaMediterraneanspecies，orratherthreespecies，leftbehindupontheseextremesouth—westerncoasts，probablyatthevanishingofthatwarmerancientepoch，whichclothedtheLizardPointwiththeCornishheath，andtheKillarneymountainswithSpanishsaxifrages，andotherrelicsofaflorawhosehomeisnowtheIberianpeninsulaandthesunnycliffsoftheRiviera。Rareoneveryothershore，eveninthewest，itaboundsinTorbayatcertain，orratheruncertain，times，tosoprodigiousanamount，thatthedredge，afterfiveminutes’scrape，willsometimescomeupchokedfullofthisgreatcockleonly。Youwillseehundredsofthemineverycoveformilesthisday;aseemingwasteoflife，whichwouldbeawful，inoureyes，werenottheDivineRuler，asHiscustomis，makingthisdestructionthemeansoffreshcreation，byburyingtheminthesands，assoonaswashedonshore，tofertilizethestrataofsomefutureworld。Itisbutashell—fishtruly;butthegreatCuvierthoughtitremarkableenoughtodevotetoitsanatomyelaboratedescriptionsanddrawings，whichhavedonemoreperhapsthananyotherstoillustratethecuriouseconomyofthewholeclassofbivalve，ordouble—shelled，mollusca。（PlateII。Fig。3。）
　　Thatredcapsicumisthefootoftheanimalcontainedinthecockleshell。Byitsaiditcrawls，leaps，andburrowsinthesand，whereitliesdrinkinginthesaltwaterthroughoneofitssiphons，anddischargingitagainthroughtheother。Puttheshellintoarockpool，orabasinofwater，andyouwillseethesiphonsclearly。Thevalvesgapeapartsomethree—quartersofaninch。