ANNELIDANS. 341 



tion of their sharp jaws, and the suction of their 

 proboscis. 



Yet, as we see, this is one of the animals 

 that man has taken into alliance with him, 

 and this no doubt Providence intended he 

 should, and probably directed him to it, I mean 

 by causing certain circumstances to take place 

 that attracted his attention and indicated its 

 probable use. So that what at first put him to 

 pain, and caused him alarm, he found, upon 

 trial, might be rendered a very valuable addition 

 to his means of cure when attacked by disease, 

 or when he was suffering from a local injury. 



The leech tribe, besides its utility in the 

 exercise of its own function, may be useful as 

 affording nutriment to some other animals, as 

 fishes and birds. 



2. The earth-worms 1 form a principal feature 

 of the next Order, and afford a delicious morsel 

 to birds of every wing. The fisherman also 

 baits his hook with them, and the ground - 

 beetles 2 often make a meal of them, so that 

 had they no other use, still they would be a 

 very important part of the creation. But their 

 great function appears to be that of boring 

 the earth in all directions, whereby they are 

 useful to the farmer and grazier, giving a kind 



1 Lumbricus (Enterion Sav.) terrestris. L. &c. 



2 Carabus. L. 



VOL. i. z 3 



