80 THE PUOVIDEXCE OF GOD 



secure. Others cover themselves with their own excrements, for whicli 

 they are provided with two anal processes, which they bend forward 

 over their bodies, and thus form a sort of umbrella. These are a few of 

 the thousand ways, in whicli Providence perpetuates the race of insects. 



The various chrysalides or j)W^h i'l*'^ which the larvae are trans- 

 formed are for the most part, without motion. As they are unarmed, 

 they easily become a prey to their enemies, but Providence takes care 

 that the race is not annihilated. Many of the larvae undergo their 

 change underground, where, though they are not secure from enemies, 

 they are yet comparatively safe. Others, which are transformed on trees 

 or plants or other places above ground, cover themselves with a thick 

 web, or with hairs plucked fiom their body, or seek concealed places. 

 Others weave leaves around themselves, which of course, dry up, and 

 then they cannot easily be distinguished from the mass of leaves hang- 

 ing or lying around. Those which are not thus covered, and which are 

 exposed to the winter, are exceedingly tenacious of life, and in the 

 Spring the tender butterfly comes forth. 



Rut the perfect insect is also an object of Providential care. As soon 

 as the butterfly comes out from its chrysalidan cradle, and the warm sun 

 evaporates the juices, and hardens its clammy wings, it sails forth, and 

 immediately finds a thousand flowers, with open petals, inviting the beau- 

 tiful voyager to stop and taste the nectar already distilled for its use. — 

 It alights, and unrolling its long spiral proboscis, inserts it deep into the 

 cup and draws in the delicious fluid. 



Jt floats along gracefully and happy in its new-born existence ; its 

 broad expanded wings, studded with diamonds and pearls, flash in the 

 sunlight and charm the eye of the admirer of nature. Free from care, 

 and dressed in a gorgeous livery, it seems designed for enjoyment alone. 

 It is nature's winged gem, — "with silver fringed and freckled o'er with 

 gold," — it lights on the bosom of some variegated flower and adds bril- 

 liancy to its tints ; idly fluttering along, sipping here and there of nec- 

 tared sweets, it encounters a gay companion ; they both mount up high 

 in the air performing the most graceful evolutions — there seems to be a 

 fierce contention — but it is the conflict of the tender passion. They 

 part never to meet again ; soon one of them is seen fluttering around a 

 particular plant or tree, and reposing on it for a moment, then flying off 

 to another place and repeating the same performance. She has deposited 

 her eggs ; soon after she droops, and her short-lived, butterfly-existence 

 of a kvj weeks, closes. But her eggs are in the care of Providence, and 

 in the appointed time, a new generation will come forth to enliven nature, 

 and to display the wonder-working power of Providence. 



