134 UNIVALVES. 



Many remarks suggest themselves in reading 

 the history of this animal. How insignificant 

 often are the means employed to effect the most 

 important ends ; how is the industry of years 

 baffled hy the gradual and yet certain work of a. 

 little worm. We might at first he at a loss to 

 trace the wisdom or goodness of the Almighty in 

 permitting the existence of an animal fitted only 

 for what appears a work of evil. A further ac- 

 quaintance with the subject, will however bring 

 us to a very different conclusion. Montague, in 

 speaking of them, says, " that the Teredines and 

 many aquatic animals were created by the Father 

 of the universe for most beneficent purposes, 

 cannot.be disputed ; for though they may seem to 

 impede, and even to destroy the operations of 

 man, yet they are of such importance in the great 

 scale of nature, that it has been observed, and it 

 would not be difficult to prove, that we should 

 feel the loss of one or two species of larger quad- 

 rupeds less than one or two species of these 

 destructive animals. The immense trees and 

 forests of tropical countries, either overthrown 

 by tornadoes, or partially destroyed by insects, 

 when carried by rapid torrents into the rivers, 

 would not only choke them up, but even en- 

 danger the navigation of the neighbouring seas, 

 were it not for these small yet powerful agents of 

 dissolution. Nothing can more plainly demonstrate 

 the power of an all-wise ruler of the universe than 

 the work assigned to these animals, whose business 

 it is, to hasten the destruction of useless matter. 



