Epigraph
‘Natural History is the appointed handmaiden of Religion, enabling us to feel and in some humble proportion to appreciate how closely and how carefully the well-being and happiness of all creatures has been provided for,—how admirably they are severally adapted to their respective stations and employments, and how wonderfully every part of their economy is made subservient to the general good. This is the true spirit in which the aquarïst ought to work, and this is the end and object of his science.’—Rhymer Jones.