Tue MIcRoscoPE. 139 
harmony beyond the reach of art. There’s not a weed, not a 
moss, whose every leaf does not show a multiplicity of vessels 
and pores disposed most curiously for the conveyance of juices 
to support and nourish it, and which is not adorned with 
innumerable graces to embellish it. 
The most perfect works of art betray a meanness, a 
poverty, and inability in the workman; but those of nature 
plainly prove the hand that formed them was absolute master 
of the materials it wrought upon, and had tools exactly suit- 
able to its design. Every hair, feather, or scale, even of the 
meanest insect, appears rounded, polished, and finished to the 
highest pitch; and shows the abundant riches, munificence, 
and skill of its Maker. 
But some may possibly enquire, to what purpose Provi- 
dence has bestowed such an expense of beauty on creatures so 
insignificant: and then cry out, what is all this to us?—My 
reply is, that the beauty and elegance which adorn them, are 
evident and convincing proofs of their not being so insignifi- 
cant as we presumptuously suppose they are: for, such beauty 
must be given them, either for their own sake, that they them- 
selves may be delighted with it; or else for ours, that we may 
observe, in’ them, the amazing power and goodness of the 
Creator. If the former be the case, we must allow them to be 
of consequence in the account of their Maker, and therefore 
deserving our regard; and if the latter, it is really our duty to 
take notice of and admire them. But for whatever reason God 
has been pleased to bestow existence on them, and to clothe 
them with beauty, what he has judged worthy himself to 
create, is not, surely, below us to examine and consider. The 
hand that formed the whale, the elephant, and the lion, has 
likewise made the louse, the gnat and the flea—Hrom Henry 
Baker, written in 1748. 
Fine Wrre.—Mr. H. T. Read says he has made some wire 
so fine that it cannot be seen with the naked eye, although it 
can be felt. A platinum wire is made the core of a silver tube 
and then drawn out with the silver to the thickness of the orig- 
inal platinum wire. This isin turn made the core of another 
silver tube and again rolled out, and, finally, the silver is dis- 
solved off with nitric acid. The wire is to be used as a substi- 
tute for spider-webs. 
