LETTER IV. 



INJURIES CAUSED BY INSECTS, 



DIRECT INJURIES. 



J.X the letter which I devoted to the defence of Ento- 

 mology, I gave you reason to expect, more effectually 

 to obviate the objection drawn from the supposed in- 

 significance of insects, that I should enter largely into 

 the question of their importance to us both as instru- 

 ments of good and evil. This I shall noAV attempt; 

 and, as I wish to leave upon your mind a pleasant im- 

 pression with respect to my favourites, I shall begin 

 with the last of these subjects — the injuri/ which they 

 do to us. 



The Almighty ordains various instruments for the 

 punishment of offending- nations : sometimes he breaks 

 them to pieces m ith the iron rod of war ; at others the 

 elements are let loose against them ; earthquakes and 

 floods of fire, at his word, bring sudden destruction 

 upon them ; seasons unfriendly to vegetation threaten 

 them with famine ; the bliglit and mildew realize these 

 threats ; and often, the more to manifest and glorify his 

 power, he employs means, at first sight, apparently the 

 most insignificant and inadequate to effect their ruin ; 

 the numerous tribes of insects are his armies % mar- 

 shalled by him, and by his irresistible command impel- 



* Joel ii. 25. 

 VOL. I. G 



