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sects to increase, one would naturally 

 wonder we have not a greater number 

 always surrounding us than we actually 

 have. We should however consider, at 

 the same time, that the intention of 

 Providence is by no means fulfilled to its 

 extent, in the mere destruction which 

 these creatures commit on the vegetable 

 world. They are destined for food for 

 other creatures of a similar nature, and 

 scarcely is there among them any but what 

 either indirectly or directly give up their 

 bodies for food to some of a different 

 class, the larvse of the cock chafer de- 

 scribed above, are the principal food of 

 rooks, and that sagacious bird will fly 

 many miles in the summer season to pro- 

 cure them for their young. Poultry, and 

 particularly turkies, are known to be 

 fond of these grubs, and I have also 

 known dogs to eat the chafers ; the va- 

 rious species of linnets and other small 

 birds feed on the larvic of different in- 

 sects, and hedgehogs are usefully kept in 

 gardens to devour snails. There also is 

 known to be an enemy to these insects 

 6 



