THE ANT. 213 



Honey newly taken out of the comb has a peculiar delicacy of 

 flavor, which will in vain be sought for, after it has been for any 

 length of time expressed or clarified. This will heip to explain the 

 energy of expression adopted by the Psalmist, when speaking of 

 the divine laws : 'More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than 

 much fine gold ; sweeter also than honey, and the droppings of hon- 

 ey-combs,' Ps. xix. 10. 



A fine lesson on the necessity of moderation is taught by Solomon, 

 Prov. xxv. 16: 'Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is suffi- 

 cient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith and vomit it.' Upon this 

 passage, Harris has cited the following observations of Dr. Knox: 

 'Man, indeed, may be called a bee in a figurative style. In search 

 of sweets, he roams in various regions, and ransacks every inviting 

 flower. Whatever displays a beautiful appearance solicits his no- 

 tice, and conciliates his favor, if not his affection. He is often de- 

 ceived by the vivid color and attractive form, which instead of sup- 

 plying honey, produce the rankest poison ; but he perseveres in his 

 researches, and if he is often disappointed, he is also often success- 

 ful. The misfortune is, that when he has found honey, he enters 

 upon the feast with an appetite so voracious that he usually destroys 

 his own delight by excess and satiety, 



THE ANT. 



THE ant has been famous, from all antiquity, for its social and in- 

 dustrious habits, and for its spirit of subordination. It is as a pat- 

 tern of parsimony to the profuse; and of unremitting diligence to 

 the sluggard, Prov. vi. 6. 



In Prov. xxx. 25, the ant is spoken of as one of the four diminu- 

 tive tilings upon earth, which are exceeding wise : 'The ants are a 

 people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;' an 

 expression usually understood of their laying up stores of provision 

 in summer against approaching winter; an opinion generally en- 

 tertained by the ancients, though modern naturalists question the 

 fact. Till the manners of exotic ants are more accurately explored, 

 however, it would be rash to affirm that no ants have magazines of 



