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Perhaps we have been accustomed to look uport 

 insects, as so many rude scraps of creation. But if 

 we examine them with attention, they will appear 

 ome of the most polished pieces of divine workman, 

 ship. Many of them are docked with the richest 

 iinery. Their eyes are an assemblage of microscopes : 

 the common fly, for instance, who, surrounded with 

 enemies, has neither strength to resist nor a place of 

 retreat to secure herself. For this reason she has 

 i>rcd to be very vigilant, and always upon her guard. 

 P>ut her head is so fixed that it cannot turn to see 

 what passes, either behind or around her. Providence 

 therefore has given her, not barely a retinue, but 

 nnore than a legion of eyes. Insomuch that a single 

 Hy is supposed to be the mistress of no less than eight 

 thousand. By the help of this truly amazing appa- 

 ratus, she sees on every side, with the utmost ease 

 and speed, though without any motion of the eye or 

 ik'xion of the neck. 



'The dress of insects is a vesture of resplendent co- 

 lours, set with an arrangement of the brightest gems* 

 Their wings are ihe finest expansion imaginable, com* 

 pared to which, lawn is as coarse as sackcloth. The 

 cases which enclose their wings, glitter with the finest 

 \arnibhj are scooped into ornamental flutings ? are 

 studded with radiant spots, or pinked with elegant 

 holes. JN T ot one but is endued with weapons to seize 

 their prey, and dexterity to escape their foe, to dis- 

 patch the business of their station, and enjoy the plea- 

 sure of their condition. 



What if the elephant is distinguished by his huge 

 proboscis ? The use of this is answered in these his 

 meaner relations, by the curious feelers, remarkable, 

 if not for their enormous size, yet for their ready 

 flexion and quick sensibility. By these they explore 

 their way in the darkest road : by these they discover 

 and avoid whatever might delile their neat apparel, or 

 endanger their tender lives. 



Every one admires the majestic horse. With how 

 rapid career does he bound along the plain ? Yet 



