90 BOOK OF NATURE LAID OPEN. 



evince in their labours and pursuits ; these, and the 

 singular but convenient attitude which the Water-fly 

 assumes in swimming on his back, to enable him 

 the better to lay hold of his food, the under side of 

 plants which grow on the water, we can only men- 

 tion, and must proceed to consider a few of the 



Uses of Insects. 



From the number of animals in the different ele- 

 ments and regions of existence, which prey upon 

 insects, there can be no doubt but the principal ob- 

 ject the Creator had in view in the formation of these, 

 was for the subsistence of many of the larger orders 

 of creatures; but the following specimens serve to 

 shew that some of these also contribute in no small 

 degree, in their respective spheres, to the service of 

 man. By the labours and exertions of the Bee, we 

 are provided with stores of honey and wax; the 

 seemingly contemptible little Silk-worm presents us, 

 in its passage from the Caterpillar in the sleeping 

 state, with materials for constituting our most costly 

 raiment From the Cantharies come the Spanish 

 Flies, so useful in blisters; the Kermes is also va- 

 luable for medicinal purposes; and the Cochineal 

 furnishes us with a rich and beautiful dye. The 

 wonders accomplished by the united exertions of the 

 Bees, the Wasps, and the Ants, shew what can be 

 done by brethren dwelling together in unity. The 

 watchfulness of the Spider, after she has woven her 

 web, demonstrates the necessity of not folding our 



