BOOK OF KATURE LAID OPEN. 



When vernal sunbeams pierce the dark retreat 

 The heaving tomb distends with vital heat ; 

 The full-formed brood, impatient of their cell, 

 Start from their trance, and burst their silken shell." 



In each change not only their form and structure, 

 but their very nature and appetite undergo a com- 

 plete revolution. Take for example, yonder But- 

 terfly? which in gaudy attire, and with a sprightly 

 air, roves and flutters in quest of its balmy juices 

 from flower to flower: how wonderful the change 

 from that dead and inanimate state in which its 

 beauties lately lay concealed, or from the grovelling 

 reptile which on the cabbage-leaf partook voracious- 

 ly of its coarser fare, nor evinced any relish for other 

 dainties. 



If any; thing were wanting to prove the wise dis- 

 position of the parts and appetites of animals to their 

 various situations and habits, here we have it in the 

 instance of the Butterfly, whose structure and taste 

 both undergo an alteration when its sphere of action 

 and propensities become different. 



In regard to some peculiarities of a few of the dif- 

 ferent species of insects, we will briefly observe, that 

 in the mouth of the Gnat we have an admirable 

 specimen of the instrument necessary for such a 

 blood thirsty animal ; the nails or crotchets of the 

 Horse-fly, as well as its tenacity of life, evince that 

 it is apt to be disturbed in its banquets ; whoever 

 attentively considers the form of a Louse, .need not 

 be told that it is a blood-sucker The legs of the 

 Locust and of the Grasshopper at once shew their 



