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PREFACE.

the summer, or the more hidden secrets ofNature at the season when fruits and seeds areforming; the most familiar objects, like oldfriends, will always afford us something to studyand to admire in their characters, while newdiscoveries will awaken a train of new ideas. Theyellow blossomsof the morning, that fold up theirdelicate leaves as the day advances; othersthat court and sustain the full blaze of noon ;and the pale night-scented tribe, which ex-pand, and diffuse their very sweet fragrance,towards evening, will all please in their turn.Though spring is the season of hope and novel-ty, to a naturalist more especially, yet the wiseprovisions and abundant resources of Nature,in the close of the year, will yield an observingmind no less pleasure, than the rich varietyof her autumnal tints affords to the admirersof her external charms. The more we studythe works of the Creator, the more wisdom,beauty and harmony become manifest, evento our limited apprehensions : and while weadmire, it is impossible not to adore.

“ Soft roll your incense, herbs, and fruits, and flowers,

In mingled clouds, to Him, whose sun exalts,

Whose breath perfumes you, and whose pencil paints