EECREATIVE SCIENCE. 



79 



keeps it free from obstruction. By tliia ad- 

 mirable contrivance it will be seen tbat tbe 

 instrument, from its sharp cutting edge on 

 one side, and the way in wbicb the points of 

 tbe teeth are directed on the other, readily 

 penetrates any soft substance, and that in 

 the act of withdrawing it from the wound, it 

 cuts its way out like a saw, and in doing this 

 it forms a jagged wound ; consequently the 

 poisonous fluid which has been conveyed into 

 it more readily produces its specific action, 



accident or use some of them become injured 

 or destroyed, there are abundance of others 

 to supply their place, consequently a simple 

 constructed organ is all that is required ; 

 but in the wasp it is different, for it is 

 furnished with only one sting, and if that 

 from any cause became injured, and it was 

 deprived of its important organ, the loss 

 would be irreparable ; therefore the All-wise 

 Creator has so fashioned it as to be most 

 perfect for the use for which it was made, 



Fig. 3. 



and the instrument itself is much less in 

 danger of being injured by frequent use ; and 

 in order to keep it in a perfect state for use, 

 it win be seen that the little insect has 

 the power of freely moving the jointed ap- 

 pendages which arise from the base, and 

 that with the brush at the end it is able to 

 clean it after it has been used, and clear it 

 from any particles that may adhere to it. 

 "We thus see that in the nettle the stings are 

 of the most simple construction ; and if by 



and also given it the means by which it can 

 be kept clean and free from obstruction, and 

 in a state fit to perform its appointed ofiice. 



The nettle is not a plant that is relished 

 as food by any animals, but its leaves are 

 selected in preference to any others by many 

 insects, and it is not an uncommon occur- 

 rence to see large patches of them entirely de- 

 prived of theu' leaves. This is generally done 

 by the caterpillar of the beautiful nettle but- 

 terfly (Vanessa urtica, Fig. 3) feeding upon 



