IGNORANCE OF NATURE'S CHEMISTRY.

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ignorant even of the composition or mode of formation of a drop of dew. For a very long time, even after chemistry was pursued scientifically, the most fascinating of all its departments the Chemistry of Nature-was totally neglected. Dr. Priestley and Sir Humphrey Davy almost alone seem to have caught sight of its interest and importance. And almost all the knowledge we now possess of this subject, has been brought to light exclusively during the last few years. As may therefore be imagined, our information upon this point, although of great extent, is still very imperfect; and we require many experiments, and much labour of investigation, to clear up our present difficulties. If, then, instead of vainly groping after gold, or gasping after an elixir of life, or indulging in such like dreams and abstractions, the early chemists had but applied themselves to the study of the chemistry of the humblest objects in nature: if they had only tried to solve the problem, How does a flower spring up? how far advanced might we not at this time have been! Instead of occupying a place at the threshold, we might almost have reached the goal. Let us be thankful, however, that a brighter time in the history of the science has arrived; and let us look hopefully forward for the day when the chemistry of nature will be as well understood as that of the ordinary substances which find a place in the laboratory of the experimenter, or in the shop of the chemist.

It is the intention of this work to explain the leading chemical phenomena observed in

nature, and to do so, as far as possible, without the unnecessary use and encumberment of scientific terms or expressions. In carrying out this design, the simplest plan appeared to be, to treat successively the chemistry of the earth, the air, and the ocean; by which means, almost all that is of importance to be learned of the chemistry of nature, will come simply and naturally under discussion. Such a notice of the general principles of the science, as is requisite to render the subsequent pages free from difficulty, is added by way of a prefatory section to the chemistry of the earth.

THE INORGANIC CHEMISTRY OF NATURE.

WHEN an admirer of paintings walks through a long gallery in which are displayed the most famous works of a great artist, he stands perchance before one which more than all the rest attracts his attention, and becomes lost in the contemplation of its various excellences. The rich hues of the foreground become contrasted with the pale receding tones of colour on the horizon, and with these the deep transparent sky is exquisitely harmonised, the whole picture producing an impression upon his mind highly favourable to the skill of the painter. He goes