ledge, and, to a considerable extent, of gratifying it. In those cases where it was advisable to refer the reader to other authorities for additional information, the author has usually made such references and the present Editor has adopted a similar plan, whenever the gradual augmentations which are incessantly making to the general stock of philosophical verities, seemed to render it necessary. On the whole, therefore, it is earnestly hoped that the numerous improvements made in this new edition of the Contemplative Philosopher, will render it more extensively beneficial to the rising generation, and insure it a continuance of public encou ragement. It is a common debt of justice to a worthy and ingenious man, to announce that the Contemplative Philosopher, though hitherto published anonymously, was written by the late Mr. RICHARD LOBB, a gentleman who contributed largely to the public instruction and amusement in several performances; but whose great modesty induced him usually to shrink from the commendation which was so justly due to his well directed exertions. 30. On various Phenomena in the Vegetable Kingdom 294 THE CONTEMPLATIVE PHILOSOPHER. No. I. REFLECTIONS ON WINTER. Vides, ut alta stet nive candidum Sylvæ laborantes, geluque Flumina constiterint acuto! See, how Soracte's crown of woods, HOR. Bows with the spangled loads of snow! Forget to murmur and to flow. WAKEFIELD. WHEN Nature, in a state of desolation, seems, to an inattentive eye, to present nothing, as it were, but the creation in distress, the Contemplative Philosopher, as he walks forth to explore the dreary scenes around him, will discover a great variety of phenomena peculiar to this season, with sufficient beauty or usefulness in each to merit a distinct discussion. Whether he contemplates Winter in its first approaches, or enters into a minute investigation of its various scenery; whether he confines his researches to our temperate zone, or makes excursions to the polar regions; each No. 22. A Moonlight Scene 30. On various Phenomen the Minuter Parts o 32. Further Reflections on Creation ..... 33. A View of the Insect Tri plemena peculiar to this incle mr shall I pursue my researches, at more northern regions.-Winter has to be that season of the year in which shortest. It commences on or about December, which is called the Winter that day when the sun's distance, th of the place is greatest; and it 9th of March, when its distance is etween the greatest and the least; tha e of the equinox. But I shall onl that notwithstanding the coldne it has been demonstrated by astr sun is really nearer to the ear summer. The principal ca is that in winter the sun's us, and have so large a here to pass through, that ben is spread over a much g surface where we live must then have few en the sun is at a There come of cold in the l pensated for sarily |