pear the precision and regularity of the flight of 

 gnats, weaving their aerial net-work, like a grey 

 cloud of evening, and how perfect and symmetri- 

 cal would seem the film-like gossamer, as it floats 



" Idly in the wanton summer air ! " 



yet not more so than they naturally present 

 themselves to insects. 



The microscopic insects which abound on the 

 surface of the earth, do not appear to be so nu- 

 merous now as at the early periods of its history, 

 if we except the infusory tribes, which though as 

 yet little examined Ehrenberg, the companion 

 of Humboldt in his Asiatic Journey, has lately 

 shown to be repeated under the same forms, in 

 different geographical situations. There are lime- 

 stories belonging to the middle ages in geognostic 

 chronology, which appear to be almost entirely 

 composed of microscopic shells ; and even in 

 more modern formations, the number of micros- 

 copic species, independently of their individual 

 preponderance, has been found to exceed that of 

 the species recognized by the naked eye. The 

 myriads of creatures which nature in her prolific 

 and varied means has produced, may to some 

 appear not only accidental but unnecessary ; but 

 the relations of all to each other are such, as if 

 interrupted, would break the chain of existence 

 one of the most glorious and bounteous evidences 

 of design, which can be afforded by the contem- 

 plation of the lower orders of creation. 



With respect also, to the hearing of insects, 



