AFFECtlON OF INSECTS FOR tirEIR YOUNG. 353 



days^. It is plain that all this labour is incurred for 

 the sake of placing in security the future young- of these 

 industrious insects along- with a necessary provision of 

 food. One mole would have sufficed a long time for 

 the repast of the beetles themselves, and they could 

 have more conveniently fed upon it above ground than 

 below. But if they had left thus exposed the carcase 

 in which their eggs were deposited, both would have 

 been exposed to the imminent risk of being destroyed 

 at a mouthful by the first fox or kite that chanced to 

 espy them. 



At the first view I dai'e say you feel almost inclined 

 to pity the little animals doomed to exertions appa- 

 rently so disproportioned to their size. You are ready 

 to exclaim that the pains of so short an existence, en- 

 grossed with such arduous and incessant toil, must far 

 outweigh the pleasures. Yet the inference would be 

 altogether erroneous. What strikes us as wearisome 

 toil, is to the little agents delightful occupation. The 

 kind Author of their being has associated the perform- 

 ance of an essential duty with feelings evidently of the 

 most pleasurable description ; and like the affectionate 

 father whose love for his cliiidren sweetens the most 

 painful labours, these little insects are never more happy 

 than when thus actively engaged. " A bee," as Dr. Pa- 

 iey has well observ ed, " amongst the flowers in spring, 

 (when it is occupied without intermission in collecting 

 farina for its young or honey for its associates,) is one of 

 the cheerfullest objects that can be looked upon. Its life 

 appears to be all enjoyment : so busy and so pleased''." 



= r.lc(Ii;«ch Vhydr. Bot. Oecon. AhhundL iii. 200-227, 

 " Natural Theo!,)gy, 497. 

 VOL, I. 1 A 



