SURVEYS OF NATURE. 



PART THE SIX Til. 



INSECTS. 



INSECTS are a fubjeft almoft inexhauftible from numbers and va-. 

 ricty. " After an attentive examination," fays Swammerdam, " of 

 the nature and anatomy of the fmallefl as well as the largeft animals, I 

 cannot help allowing the leafl: an equal, or perhaps a fuperior, degree o^ 

 dignity. If, while we difledl with care the larger animals, we are filled 

 with wonder at the elegant difpofuion of their parrs, to what an height is 

 our aftonifhment raifed, when we difcover all thefe parts arranged in the 

 leaft in the fame regular manner 1" Yet the infect tribe deferve but the 

 laft and loweft rank in animated nature j they fcem all the moll imper- 

 fe<flly formed ; many of them can live a long time, though deprived of 

 organs neceffary to life in higher ranks of nature. They are too often, 

 amiOng ourfelvcs, unwelcome intruders on the fruits of hum.an induftry ; 

 but in lefs cultivated regions, their annoyance and devaftacions are terri- 

 ble. Witnefs Lapland and Am.erica, where, if a candle be lighted, the 

 infe(5t fwarm inftantly extinguiQies it with their numbers ; where the in- 

 habitants are obliged to fmear their bodies and faces with tar, or greafe, 

 to protect them from the puncture of their minute enemies j where, 

 though millions are deflroyed, familhed millions (till fucceed to make 

 the torture endlefs ! 



Through all nature, nobler animals are flowly produced, while meaner 

 births are lavilhed in profufion. Of all productions in nature, infects are 

 the mod numerous. On minute infpe«&ion, we (hall find every plant 



fupporting 



