[78 HISTORY OF 



are chiefly the most prolific that are, from their 

 imbecility, incapable of making any effectual de- 

 fence. The caterpillar has, perhaps, of all other 

 animals, the greatest number of enemies, and 

 seems only to exist by its surprising fecundity. 

 Some animals devour them by hundreds ; others, 

 more minute, yet more dangerous, mangle them 

 in various ways ; so that, how great soever their 

 numbers may be, their destroyers are in equal 

 proportion. Indeed, if we consider the mischiefs 

 these reptiles are capable of occasioning, and the 

 various damages we sustain from their insatiable 

 rapacity, it is happy for the other ranks of nature 

 that there are thousands of fishes, birds, and even 

 insects, that live chiefly upon caterpillars, and 

 make them their most favourite repast. 



When we describe the little birds that live in 

 our gardens, and near our houses, as destructive 

 neighbours, sufficient attention was not paid to 

 the services which they are frequently found to 

 render us. It has been proved, that a single 

 sparrow and its mate, that have young ones, des- 

 troy above three thousand caterpillars in a week ; 

 not to mention several butterflies, in which num- 

 berless caterpillars are destroyed in embryo. It 

 is in pursuit of these reptiles that we are favour- 

 ed with the visits of many of our most beautiful 

 songsters, that amuse us during their continu- 

 ance, and leave us when the caterpillars disap- 

 pear. 



The maxim which has often been urged against 

 man, that he, of all other animals, is the only crea- 

 ture that is an enemy to his own kind, and that 



