THEIR SUPPOSED FORESIGHT. 141 



Few insects are more widely diffused than the ant. 

 Its habits have attracted universal notice ; and it has 

 been celebrated, both by sacred and profane ^vriters, 

 as a model of prudence, foresight, wisdom, and dili- 

 gence. In Proverbs we are told (chap. xxx. ver. 24), 

 "There be four things which are little upon the 

 earth; but they are exceeding wise;" and in the 

 enumeration which follows, the ants are placed first, 

 and are described as " a people not strong, yet they 

 prepare their meat in the summer." In another part, 

 (chap. vi. ver. 6), Solomon desires the sluggard to 

 "go to the ant, consider her ways, and be wise ; which 

 having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her 

 meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the 

 harvest." Many of our British poets have applauded 

 the foresight of the ant ; and have either described 

 her as storing up grain for winter use, or have 

 alluded to such a circumstance. She is thus charac- 

 terized by Milton : — 



" First crept 



The parsimonious emmet, provident 



Of future, in small room large heart enclosed." 



Parnell depicts her as 



" Pressed by the cumbrous weight of single grains ;" 



these grains being " the burdens of a wintry store." 



A similar idea was probably entertained by Rogers, 



when he penned the harmonious couplet, — 



" How oft, when purple evening tinged the west, 

 We watch'd the emmet to her grainy nest." 



