34 HABITS AND USES 



the woods, when a large tree falls from age or acci- 

 dent, they enter it on the side next the ground, and 

 devour at leisure, till little more than the bark is left. 

 But in this case they take no precaution of strength- 

 ening the outward defence, but leave it in such a state 

 as to deceive an eye unaccustomed to see trees thus 

 gutted of their insides. It is an extraordinary fact, 

 that when these creatures have formed pipes in the 

 roof of a house, instinct directs them to prevent its 

 fall, which would ensue from their having sapped the 

 posts on which it rests; but, as they gnaw away 

 the wood, they fill up the interstices with clay, temper- 

 ed to a surprising degree of hardness : so that, when 

 the house is pulled down, these posts are transformed 

 from wood to stone. 



We have already seen that it is easier to shut one's 

 door against a fox or a wolf, than to exclude these insi- 

 dious enemies. On considering their destructive pow- 

 ers, incalculable numbers, and amazing increase, an 

 inquiry arises in the mind of a casual observer. To 

 what purpose was this insect created ? and why was it 

 endowed with instincts that lead it to be so injurious 

 to man ? But he who has habituated himself to believe 

 in the infinite goodness of the Father of the universe, 

 will hesitate before he presumes that any part of his 

 works is absolutely mischievous or useless. He per- 

 ceives that, in various other instances, apparent evil 



