ON INSECTS. 67 



weed, her natural position. You see how 

 wonderfully and kindly the Great Creator has 

 provided for the well-being of a little insignifi- 

 cant creature. 



There are, no doubt, many curious and in- 

 teresting insects in the sea ; but, from the ele- 

 ment in which they live, we know but little of 

 their habits and peculiar instincts. Some are 

 parasitic, or adhere to the bodies of fish, and 

 others eat into the flesh of whales. I must, 

 however, refer to the mussels, which, as you are 

 aware, attach themselves to rocks, by means of 

 a strong silk- like thread ; but perhaps you are 

 not aware that these threads, which are very 

 strong, have been collected and made into a pair 

 of gloves. 



I have deferred my mention of the most in- 

 teresting and valuable of insects for the conclu- 

 sion of my lecture. I refer to the silk-worm. 

 In order the better to enable you to understand 

 the wonderful arrangements of Providence in 

 regard to this moth, I may tell you that all but- 

 terflies and moths, when they quit their cocoons, 

 or winter-coverings, fly away, and are of no ser- 

 vice to man, except as objects of admiration of 

 their beauty and peculiar instincts. But how 



