IGNORANCE OF THE WAYS OF INSECTS. &75 



I cannot but assent, and say, with the eminent man 

 whose " Centuries of Experiments 1 ' I have often 

 quoted, that they are indeed more the suggestions 

 of " light than of fruit ;" proficiency was beyond 

 my powers ; I have sought for amusement, and 

 gratefully record the many peaceful hours and 

 oblivion of pain, which the perusal of Nature's 

 volume gave me, superficial as that perusal was. 



On whatever side we turn our attention in this 

 world of wonders by which we are surrounded, we 

 constantly find some subject that calls forth our ad- 

 miration ; and, as far as our very imperfect vision 

 is permitted to penetrate, we observe the same un- 

 remitting order and provision for a seemingly mean 

 and worthless purpose, as is bestowed upon a higher 

 and apparently more worthy object. We consider 

 insects as one of the lower orders of creation, but 

 are as perfectly unacquainted, generally speaking, 

 with the objects of their being, though they have 

 for ages crawled and winged their way around us, 

 as the first man, Adam, was ; yet is there a care 

 manifested for the preservation and accommodation 

 of these, which we often designate as contemptible 

 creatures, that is most elaborate and wonderful. 

 The forethought with which many of them have 

 been furnished to deposit their eggs in safety from 

 the contingencies of seasons and hostile incidents, 

 . and precisely in the situation most fitting, must call 

 forth the admiration of all who have observed it. 

 Some of these are lodged in summer and autumn 

 deep in the earth, on that part of a plant which in 



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