106 THOSE OTHER ANIMALS. 



inconsiderable portion of their life in the preparation for 

 and care of their young. The fly neither builds nests like 

 the birds, nor lays up stores of food like the bees and wasps, 

 nor pierces holes in wood like the beetles, nor spends half 

 his time in the hunt for food like most quadrupeds. He 

 assumes no responsibilities, for he has neither home nor 

 family. Man places his food on tables for him, and builds 

 mansions in which he can sport, untroubled by the weather. 

 As the fly is found in every part of the known world, it 

 must be assumed that he really has his uses, and that he 

 possesses some latent virtue, edible or medicinal, which 

 a future generation will, it may be hoped, discover and 

 turn to account. 



