^5 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



matic plants puts to flight thofe abominable ani- 

 mals. 



As to other calamities of Nature's infliding, Man 

 feels their preffure only becaufe he deviates from 

 her laws. If ftorms fometimes ravage his orchards 

 and his corn fields, it is becaufe he frequently 

 places them where Nature never intended they 

 fliould grow. Storms fcarcely ever injure any cul- 

 ture except the injudicious cultivation of Man. 

 Forefts and natural meadows never fuffer in the 

 flighted degree., Befides, they have their utility. 

 Thunder-ftorms purify and cool the air. The 

 hail, with which they are fometimes accompanied, 

 deftroys great quantities of hurtful infefts ; and 

 hails are frequent only at the feafon when fuch in- 

 fers hatch and multiply j in Spring, and Summer. 

 But for the hurricanes of the torrid Zone, the ants 

 and locufls would render the iflands fituated be- 

 tween the Tropics totally uninhabitable. 



I have already pointed out the utility, the abfo- 

 lute neceffity of the volcanos, whofe fires purify 

 the waters of the Sea, as thofe of the thunder pu- 

 rify the air. Eanhquakes proceed from the fame 

 caufe. Befides, Nature communicates previous 

 notice of their effe6ls, and of the places where 

 their focufes are fituated. The inhabitants of Lif- 

 bon know well that their city has^ been feveral 



times 



