292 ' on reptiles aitd insects. Oct. 24. 



a tree ; but, perhaps, they have difficulty in descend- 

 ing. I never saw a snail in the act of descending, 

 that I can recollect, though this may only have elu- 

 ded remark. 



Our knowledge of reptiles, and insects, is yet but 

 inconsiderable ; and, tkough these objects appear 

 trifling to the bulk of mankind, yet many are the 

 benefits that might be derived to man from a perfect 

 acquaintance with this subject. The larvae. of in- 

 sects afford a delicious repast to many animals; andj 

 by what Dr Anderson states of the white lac iiTBen- 

 gal, (Bee vol. ix. p. 4, iifr .) it would seem that some 

 of these might be employed as food for man. At any 

 rate, an exact knowledge of the insects that produce 

 the eggs of various reptiles, which are highly de- 

 structive to man, — of the food they require, — the 

 times of nidihcation, — the duration of life in their dif- 

 ferent states, — the circumstances that are favourable 

 . or noxious to them in their different stages, — the ani- 

 mals which seek them for food, is'f . might be of the ut- 

 most utility ; as, by that knowledge, man might not 

 only be able to free himself from the most noxious 

 kinds ; but even occasionally to convert these to profit, 

 by employing them as food for other animals, of 

 whose labours he could avail himself. This ia 

 therefore a v/ide field for useful investigation, v/hicji 

 ambitious youth will do well to cultivate. 



