19 



to be acute; and that worms and slugs will not pa- 

 tiently be handled ; yet there are other and opposite facts 

 which seem to nullify these inferences. Spiders abound on 

 nettle-beds ; and slugs, which are softer than our integu- 

 ments, lie upon them ; the caterpillar crunches, or masti- 

 cates, of course without producing irritation, the whole 

 of this formidable weed ; some insects habitually feed on 

 vegetables of acrid juices, juices which would vesicate our 

 skin, and inflame the mucous membrane. But what is most 

 to the purpose, insects of soft contexture seem not to be 

 harmed by mechanical irritants. If the thousand barbs of 

 the stinging nettle so readily penetrate our comparatively 

 hard integuments, thatpenetration must much more readily 

 take place through the epidermis of the caterpillar ; and if 

 these needles of nature do not hurt him as they hurt us, 

 (and he does not afford even the doubtful evidence of 

 unusual motions that they do,) is it not a presumption at 

 least, that he cannot be much pained by those with which 

 the entomologist transfixes him. Besides, it has been ob- 

 served that the caterpillar does not wince, when the Ich- 

 neumon pierces his flesh to inoculate him with her per- 

 nicious eggs! 



Those, however, who feel indisposed to abandon the cur- 

 rent opinion respecting insect sensibility, have still some 

 objections to urge, though they can hardly pretend to the 

 name of arguments. Some, perhaps, will say, that as God 

 wills the happiness of his creatures, and as happiness is 

 impossible without feeling, worms and insects must there- 

 fore be supposed capable of suffering ; that to imagine 

 otherwise, is indeed almost an impiety, involving notions 

 derogatory to the goodness of the Creator. Objections 

 like these scarcely require reply. We do indeed " snatch 

 from His hand the balance and the rod," when we thus 

 presume to create his creatures anew after our own no- 

 tions of the fitness of things, and the general scheme of 

 Providence ! The worm exists according to his kind, and 



