If we now turn our contemplations in another 

 direction, and consider the advantages which are 

 derived hy the human species from the animal 

 and vegetable kingdoms, we are struck with their 

 intrinsic value in the scale of creation ; and, that 

 almost every natural object may be made to in- 

 crease the happiness and comforts of man. The 

 insect tribes have a much more limited influence 

 than other branches of the animal kingdom, be- 

 ing very seldom used as food, and rarely neces- 

 sary to the supply of our wants ; but still many 

 insects are extensively made use of, and are of 

 very great importance not only in the arts and 

 manufactures, but also in medicine. 



It generally happens, that in the adaptation of 

 insect products, we derive benefit from opera- 

 tions carried on in the simple train of circum- 

 stances which belong to the developement of in- 

 sect life ; but, when we consider the extent of 

 these operations, viewed as a whole, and not as 

 connected with the life of each individual, we 

 must feel, I think, that the results are connected 

 with those arrangements by which Providence 

 appears to have secured the happiness and wel- 

 fare of the human species. 



I may here instance the caterpillar, which is in 

 the habit of spinning threads which are of con- 

 siderable utility during its life as a grub, and 

 which, when about to undergo its appointed me- 

 tamorphosis, it weaves into a little mansion, at 

 once to keep it in a constant temperature, and 

 to preserve it from accidents of wind or weather, 



