120 HESSIAN FLY. 



the wlieat-midge is to be found on the conti- 

 nent of Europe, and that it attacks the corn 

 crops in France, causing the same steriUty in 

 the grains that has been shown to be the result 

 of its ravages in England. Such facts are of 

 inestimable advantage ; for not only do they 

 enlarge our perception of the wonders of crea- 

 tion, but give us an insight into methods by 

 which skilful observers, resident in the country, 

 may confer signal advantages on their neigh- 

 bours. To dwell upon the history of the habits 

 of a little midge may appear at first sight 

 trifling and unworthy of an enlarged, well-in- 

 formed mind ; but when the benefits on the one 

 hand, and the injuries on the other, of which 

 a multitude of little things are the cause, are 

 considered, we shall soon perceive that the in- 

 vestigation of every single thing made, is a pur- 

 suit worthy of not only a rational but of a 

 pious and benevolent spirit, desirous both to give 

 honour to God and to confer benefits on man. 

 The midge just described in this popular 

 notice, has been properly called the British 

 wheat-midge. There is another midge, of dif- 

 ferent habits, called the American wheat-midge. 

 It has been designated by entomologists ceci- 

 domyia destructor, a name which its destructive 



