BOOK OP NATURE LAID OPE^N. 1 



Of all productions in nature, insects are by far the 

 most numerous, and though at first sight herbs of 

 the field seem to be the parts of organized matter 

 produced in the greatest abundance, yet upon mi- 

 nute inspection we find every plant supporting a 

 multitude of creatures scarcely perceptible, that fill up 

 the compass of youth, vigour, and age, in the space 

 of a few days' existence. In Lapland, and some 

 parts of America, insects are said to be so numerous 

 that if a candle is lighted they swarm about it in 

 such multitudes that it is instantly extinguished! 

 As insects are endowed with the various powers of 

 creeping, flying, and swimming, there is scarce any 

 place, however remote and secure, in which they 

 are not to be found. 



It is the infinite number of these invisible animals 

 that makes stagnating waters appear of so many 

 different hues, as green, brown, reddish, &c. 



It is not at all surprising then, that such an accu- 

 rate researcher into Nature's works as the excellent 

 Mr. Boyle, should observe, " that his wonders dwelt 

 not so much on Nature's clocks as her watches." 

 In several kinds of these creatures, invisible before 

 to mortal eyes, it is not only easy to discover, by 

 means of a good magnifier, the external appearance 

 of their mouths, their horns, their trunks, and other 

 members, but the very motion of their heart and 

 lungs ! Now, as it has been remarked, as these 

 little animals are discovered to be organized bodies, 

 how fine and subtile must be the several parts that 

 compose them ! How difficult to conceive the ex- 



