The Ant-Lion. 233 



their larvae and pupae, against the attacks of other insects, 

 and of birds, is proportioned, in the ingenuity of their 

 arrangements, to the weakness of the insect employing them. 

 Those species which multiply the quickest have the greatest 

 number of enemies. Bradley, an English naturalist, has 

 calculated that two sparrows carry, in the course of a week, 

 above three thousand caterpillars to the young in their nests. 

 But though this is, probably, much beyond the truth, it is 

 certain that there is a great and constant destruction of 

 individuals going forward; and yet the species is never 

 destroyed. In this way a balance is kept up, by which one 

 portion of animated nature cannot usurp the means of life 

 and enjoyment which the world offers to another portion. In 

 all matters relating to reproduction, Nature is prodigal in 

 her arrangements. Insects have more stages to pass through 

 before they attain their perfect growth than other creatures. 

 The continuation of the species is, therefore, in many cases, 

 provided for by a much larger number of eggs being deposited 

 than ever become fertile. How many larvae are produced, 

 in comparison with the number which pass into the pupa 

 state ; and how many pupae perish before they become perfect 

 insects ! Every garden is covered with caterpillars ; and 

 yet how few moths and butterflies, comparatively, are seen, 

 even in the most sunny season ? Insects which lay few eggs 

 are, commonly, most remarkable in their contrivances for 

 their preservation. The dangers to which insect life is 

 exposed are manifold; and therefore are the contrivances 

 for its preservation of the most perfect kind, and invariably 

 adapted to the peculiar habits of each tribe. The same 

 wisdom determines the food of every species of insect ; and 

 thus some are found to delight in the rose-tree, and some in 

 the oak. Had it been otherwise, the balance of vegetable 

 life would not have been preserved. It is for this reason 

 that the contrivances which an insect employs for obtaining 

 its food are curious, in proportion to the natural difficulties 

 of its structure. The ant-lion is carnivorous, but he has not 

 the quickness of the spider, nor can he spread a net over a 

 large surface, and issue from his citadel to seize a victim 



