LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 131 



able distance from the wigwam, and brushed 

 them off with his hands ; then to another place, 

 and brushed off more ; and so continued until 

 he succeeded in clearing himself of them, as he 

 supposed, effectually ; though after his return 

 to the place where he stayed, he found thirty of 

 them in his stockings. 



I recollect a curious old English verse, re- 

 commending wormwood as a preventive against 

 the attacks of fleas: 



While wormwood hath seed, get a handful or twaine, 

 To save against March to make flea refraine : 

 Where chamber is swept and wormwood is strown, 

 No flea for his life dare abide to be known." 



Harriet. Are fleas of any use in the world ? 



Anna. I suppose God would not have made 

 them if they were not. 



Aunt M. That is an excellent answer ; one 

 with which we may rest quite satisfied. I sup- 

 pose fleas enjoy their existence that is some- 

 thing. Whether they are of any use to man, I 

 do not know ; it is quite probable they may af- 

 ford food to other animals. In the formation of 

 many of the creatures which God has made, we 

 can trace the benevolent design ; in all we may 



