INTRODUCTION. 11

prophet Hosea also refers to the timidity of the Egyptian
birds, caused by the prevalence of this amusement: “They
shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and a dove out of
Assyria.” The only domestic birds found on the Egyptian
monuments are geese; the ostrich is frequently figured ;
large herds of cattle are also very common, and the ox
was evidently used, as in Palestine, both for food and for
agricultural purposes.

The ruins of most ancient cities furnish their quota of
illustration to our subject, either presenting us with the
sculptured forms of the animals mentioned in Holy Writ,
or some representation of the uses to which they were ap-
plied, agreeing with and explaining the allusions; and these
are continually multiplying as fresh discoveries are made.
Nineveh and Babylon, Luxor, Thebes, and the more modern
Herculaneum, have ail contributed to our knowledge, and
thrown new lights on the difficulties which beset the earnest
inquirer into the truths of Scripture.

The Natural History of the Bible may and will be con-
sidered by many as of minor importance; but is it really so,
when every animated being, from the highest to the most
insignificant, ought to be looked upon as a manifestation of
Divine Power, and a medium of that happiness which the