118 THE CHRISTIAN NATURALIST. 



The habits displayed by insects are, in numerous 

 instances, so curious and wonderful, as almost to sur- 

 pass the efforts of reason; while the structures they 

 erect are often so stupendous in their bulk in proportion 

 to the size of the animal, and built with so much skill 

 as to put to shame the greatest monuments of power and 

 genius. The silken tent in which many caterpillars 

 live and undergo their change, is a more striking object 

 than the palace of a king ; and the Beehive is a greater 

 wonder than the Pyramids of Egypt ; for in the ope- 

 rations of the insect tribes, we can trace far more 

 clearly and directly the impress of a divine wisdom 

 directing all their movements. We see the Creator's 

 skill upon a small and reduced scale, but it is still the 

 same — infinite in littleness as in greatness. We are 

 still called upon to mark, with wondering eyes, 



* The unambiguous footsteps of the God 

 Who gives it lustre to an insect's wing, 

 And wheels his throne upon the rolling worlds.* 



As an insect well known to all, and remarkable for its 

 skill, we shall select by way of illustration the 

 Honey Bee. At the present season, the habits of this 

 interesting little creature come under our daily obser- 

 vation. Whenever the sun shines, we may see him 



