COMPENSATION PRINCIPLE. 107 



This singular insect, whose exploits have de- 

 tained us so long, remains in its larva form two 

 years, growing daily in size until it has completed 

 its existence as a larva, and must then enter upon 

 another condition of life. It is to be regretted 

 that it is not to be found in England, or at least 

 it has not been for some time discovered in our 

 island; but it is common in France and other 

 parts of the continent, and would well repay the 

 trouble of being brought over. As the insect is 

 very patient of hunger, it might easily be conveyed 

 in a little wooden box, half filled with fine sand, 

 and its proceedings could be readily watched by 

 placing it under a bell-glass, or in a little glass 

 case, introducing a few ants or spiders for its food 

 from time to time. 



The insect exhibits to us a wonderful instance 

 of what we may call, after the example of Dr. 

 Paley, the principle of compensation in nature. 

 It can neither run nor fly with the speed neces- 

 sary to overtake its prey who are swifter of 

 foot than itself. But God never created it to 

 starve, and has endowed it with a rare com- 

 bination of faculties by which it is enabled to live 

 in the midst of plenty if not even of luxuriance. 



