LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 49 



upon opening her trunk, to find within nothing 

 but a heap of dust. The white ants had eaten 

 through the wooden bottom, and destroyed 

 every article it contained. 



Harriet. I was thinking, a few minutes ago, 

 how I should like to see some of these large ant 

 hills, but I am sure I am very glad we have none 

 of them in this country. What troublesome 

 little creatures these ants must be. I do not 

 see what they have been made for. 



JLunt M. Very troublesome, it is true, but 

 very useful also. 



Our Heavenly Father has created nothing in 

 vain ; and they, too, are doubtless designed to 

 serve one of those wise and benevolent pur- 

 poses which are to be seen in every part of His 

 great plan. In the countries where the Ter- 

 mites abound, there are very extensive forests, 

 and immediately as a tree falls, (as they fre- 

 quently do from old age,) these little animals 

 attack and soon destroy it ; whereas, if it were 

 suffered to remain long upon the ground in a 

 state of decay, (and in these warm climates ve- 

 getation decays more rapidly than with us,) it 

 would not only render the country unhealthy, 



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