PREFACE. xiii

of the Natural History of the Sacred Writings tends to
throw much light on the character of the people who are
there brought under our notice; that such study, earnestly
and lovingly engaged in, strengthens our belief in the ex-
istence of God, and in His goodness and wisdom, which
adapted each animal, from man to the minutest insect, to
fill the place they occupy, the author hopes this unpretend-
ing volume may, by calling the attention of the young
readers of the Bible to this subject, add, in a slight degree,
to the interest of their studies, assisting them in forming a
more accurate knowledge of the animals there mentioned,
and thus paving the way to the study of Nature, and,
consequently, of Nature’s God, in a more extended form.
Notwithstanding the research bestowed on this subject by
many able and learned men, there is still much uncertainty
with regard to some of the species mentioned, and, doubt-
less, some errors, arising from the vagueness of the allu-
sions, or the ignorance of translators; but these are of
minor importance, and do not detract materially from the