NATURAL THEOLOGY. 97 



teem with delighted existence. In a spring noon, 

 or a summer evening, on whichever side I turn 

 my eyes, myriads of happy beings crowd upon my 

 view. "The insect youth are on the wing.'* 

 Swarms of new-born ^265 are trying their pinions 

 in the air. Their sportive motions, their wanton 

 mazes, their gratuitous activity, their continual 

 change of place without use or purpose, testify 

 their joy, and the exultation which they feel in 

 their lately discovered faculties. A hee amongst 

 the flowers in spring is one of the most cheerful 

 objects that can be looked upon. Its life appears 

 to be all enjoyment ; so busy, and so pleased ; yet 

 it is only a specimen of insect life, with which by 

 reason of the animal being half domesticated, we 

 happen to be better acquainted than we are with 

 that of others. The whole-winged insect tribe, it 

 is probable, are equally intent upon their proper 

 employments, and, under every variety of consti- 

 tution, gratified, and perhaps equally gratified, by 

 the offices which the Author of their nature has 

 assigned to them. But the atmosphere is not the 

 only scene of enjoyment for the insect race. Plants 

 are covered with aphides, greedily sucking their 

 juices, and constantly, as it should seem, in the act 

 of sucking. It cannot be doubted but that this is 

 a state of gratification. What else should fix 

 them so close to the operation, and so long? Other 

 species are running about, with an alacrity in their 

 motions which carries with it every mark of plea- 

 sure. Large patches of ground are sometimes 

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