166 ENTOMOLOGY. 



particular species be removed, but we shall be able 

 to lessen the degree of temporary inconvenience suffered 

 from them, and also to ward off several loathsome 

 diseases. 



The minuteness, and apparently imperfect formation of 

 these animals, undoubtedly deter many from becoming 

 interested in their history. With no elevated mind could 

 these circumstances be regarded as objections to their 

 examination. They would rather present themselves, 

 as strong reasons why this science should be pursued 

 as the defects here would be the mere absence of organs 

 or powers possessed by others, destined for different pur- 

 poses, and would most forcibly prove the existence of a 

 plan in which can be traced consummate skill, creating 

 at one moment the most complicated of living beings, 

 then leaving us to admire and wonder at the construction 

 of objects, the simplicity of whose formation renders them 

 more accessible to the comprehension of man. But if the 

 absence of something, which is essential for the perform- 

 ance of necessary operations be alone a defect, then no 

 imperfection can be pointed at, as a characteristic of the 

 animals whose history it is delightful to study. Furnished 

 with faculties for the execution of all the purposes of their 

 existence, no one can direct his attention to them unpre- 

 judiced, without finding -himself involuntarily interested 

 in their study : and when he discovers them possessed of 

 all the senses he is blessed with, and observes, besides 

 their perfect beauty and curious external formation, a 

 something which lie at times almost believes cannot be 

 mere instinct when he reflects upon operations, the 

 magnitude of whose design can scarcely be realized, and 

 whose completion can hardly be credited, he is compelled 

 to exclaim like a distinguished Roman philosopher, when 

 examining these same objects, ' the nature of things is 

 never more complete than in the least things.' 



From an erroneous idea that much cruelty must neces- 

 sarily be exercised in the pursuit of this science, many 

 are -deterred from attending to it. If the individuals be- 

 longing fcb this class were as susceptible of suffering as 

 those 'oftome other classes, and were it absolutely ne- 



