84 MARCH. 



colours, the great variety, the instincts, the powers, the 

 most elaborate apparatus, bestowed on these humble 

 creatures, of no apparent use whatever to man ; indeed, 

 until quite recently, utterly neglected by him and un- 

 known, though exhibiting their loveliness under his 

 very eyes, and close to his doors. We meditate on 

 these things, and ask, For what purpose is all this pro- 

 fuse expenditure of power, wisdom, taste, skill? We 

 hear the answer in the choral praise of those who know 

 more of these matters than we can yet attain to, 

 " Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they 

 are, and were created." 



