174 



THEIR FECUNDITY. 



counted one hundred, and as we had no dehcate 

 scales at hand to determine the matter by weight, 

 we divided them into little parcels corresponding in 

 bulk to that of the one hundred we had counted. 

 There were seven similar parcels, making, as near as 

 we could calculate by such means, eight hundred 

 eggs deposited before death by the one insect. 

 With such fecundity, we need not wonder, that after 

 supplying food to thousands of " little trooping 

 birds," each species is stiU preserved to fill its ap- 

 pointed place in the great scale of creation, and bear 

 emblazoned on its wings evidence of Creative power, 

 equal, in the mind of the philosopher, to that afforded 

 by " the great globe itself." 



