416 THE LIFE OF AN INSECT. 



insect world. Not one volume, not a hundred vo- 

 lumes, would suffice to relate the interesting facts 

 which connect themselves in various ways with the 

 insect's life. The main features only have been 

 developed, and these imperfectly. Such being 

 the case, what a world of wonders is the great 

 creation, were we to consider it only as peopled 

 with insects ! What pen could write their history ; 

 what tongue narrate the many marvels of their 

 existence ! Ten thousand times ten thousand, and 

 thousand of thousands, surround us on every side, 

 accompany us on our excursions, and visit us in 

 our homes, fill the air with life, and the waters 

 with creeping things. 



The history of an insect's life impresses upon 

 us one of the most consoling truths contained in 

 the word of God. We may learn from the tale 

 of God's wonders in the vegetable creation, we 

 may find also in the history of birds, beasts, and 

 fishes, innumerable proofs of His love, and care, 

 and goodness to all. But these are creatures whose 

 size in the main renders them conspicuous ; too 

 much so, as we might say, to be overlooked. 

 "Ah! then," were there no insects, one might 

 doubtingly exclaim, " God may take thought for 



