14 
INTRODUCTION. 
higher animals — all tend to prove an Al- 
mighty artificer, and inspire astonishment 
and awe ! 
But in reviewing the amazing endow- 
ments of these endless tribes of beings, 
which administer so much to the gratifi- 
cation of our mental and ocular faculties, 
the great utility, and important advantages 
derived from many of them, have also 
another claim upon our regard. The de- 
licious luxury furnished by the hee, and 
the beautiful dye of the coccus : the mate- 
rials for an exquisite fabric, prepared by 
the silk worm, which gives employment to 
millions ! and the ingredient produced by 
the gall-Jiy, to which mankind is deeply 
indebted for the promulgation of know- 
ledge ! are all real benefits. And from 
others, lessons of industry and economy ; 
virtue and morality ; perfection in various 
arts, and even civil government, may be 
learned ; and, accordingly, some have been 
held up as models of conduct, and referred 
to for instruction in wisdom from the days 
of Solomon. 
