134 UNIVALVES. 



Many remarks suggest themselves in reading 

 the history of this animal. How insignificant 

 often #re the means employed to effect the most 

 important ends ; how is the industry of years 

 baffled by the gradual and yet certain work of a 

 little worm. We might at first be at a loss to 

 trace the wisdom or goodness of the Almighty in 

 permitting the existence of an animal fitted 

 only for what appears a work of evil. A further 

 acquaintance with the subject, will however 

 bring us to a very different conclusion. Mon- 

 tague, in speaking of them, says, " that the 

 Teredines and many aquatic animals were cre- 

 ated by the Father of the universe for most 

 beneficent purposes, cannot be disputed ; for 

 though they may seem to impede, and even to 

 destroy the operations of man, yet they are of such 

 importance in the great scale of nature, that it has 

 been observed, and it would not be difficult to 

 prove, that we should feel the loss of one or two 

 species of larger quadrupeds more than one or 

 two species of these destructive animals. The 

 immense trees and forests of tropical countries, 

 either overthrown by tornadoes, or partially 

 destroyed by insects, when carried by rapid 

 torrents into the rivers, would not only choke 

 them up, but even endanger the navigation of 

 the neighbouring seas, were it not for these small 

 yet powerful agents of dissolution. Nothing 

 can more plainly demonstrate the power of an 

 all-wise ruler of the universe than the work 

 assigned to these animals, whose business it is, 

 to hasten the destruction of useless matter." 



