The mysteries of the great deep

Preface

In the following pages, the Author has endeavoured to describe, "With some minuteness of detail, a few of the many objects of interest more or less directly connected with the Sea, and especially to lead youthful readers to associate with the phenomena of Nature, habitual thoughts of God. A subject so vast as the Ocean might be viewed in a variety of aspects, all of them more or less instructive: the one which has been chosen is that in which it presents itself to the mind of a naturalist, desirous of viewing the Almighty Creator in His works. The selections are made chiefly from marine TDotany, zoology, meteorology, the fisheries, the varying aspects of island and coast scenery, incidents of navigation, &c., arranged (if such a word be not inapplicable) in the order of geographical distribution ; as they might be supposed to present themselves to the notice of an observant voyager.

It may be thought that the Author has touched too frequently, or dwelt with too great prolixity, on objects minute in themselves, and

6 PREFACE.

by the generality of persons considered insignificant and unworthy of regard. If apology for this be necessary, he presents it in the words of Samuel Purchas;— " Nicostratus in ^lian, finding a curious piece of wood, and being wondered at by one, and asked what pleasm-e he could take to stand, as he did, still gazing on the picture, answered, *Hadst thou mine eyes, my friend, thou wouldst not wonder, but rather be ravished, as I am, at the inimitable art of this rare and admirable piece.' I am" sure no picture can express so much wonder and excellency as the smallest insect, but we want Nicostratus his eyes to behold them.

** And the praise of God's wisdom and power lies asleep and dead in every creature, until man actuate and enliven it. I cannot, therefore, altogether conceive it unworthy of the greatest mortals to contemplate the miracles of Nature; and that as they are moi^e visible in the smallest and most contemptible creatures (for there most lively do they express the infinite power and wisdom of the great Creator), and erect and draw the minds of the most intelligent to the first and prime Cause of all things ; teaching them as the power, so the presence, of the Deity in the smallest insects.'* #