102 



Introductory remarks. 



CHAP. IV. 



" Obserre the insect race ordain'd to keep 

 The lazy sabbath of a half year's sleep ! 

 Entomb'd beneath the filmy web they lie, 

 And wait the influence of a kinder sky; 

 When vernal sunbeams pierce their dark retreat, 

 The heaving tomb distends with vital heat, 

 The full-form'd brood impatient of their cell, 

 Start from their trance and burst their silken shell." 



MRS. BABBAVLD. 



OJP INSECTS IN GENERAL. 



THIS class of animals is by some naturalists 

 considered as the most imperfect of any, while 

 others prefer them to the larger animals. One 

 mark of their imperfection is said to be, that 

 many of them can live a long time, though de- 

 prived of those organs which are necessary to life 

 in the higher ranks of nature. Many of them 

 are furnished with lungs and an heart like the 

 nobler animals ; yet the caterpillar continues to 

 live, though its heart and lungs, which is often 

 the case, are entirely eaten away. It is not, 



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