USEFULNESS OF ANIMALS 125 



on their protection, brings us to the Reptiles and 

 Amphibians, and whilst some of these are only to 

 be regarded as balance-keepers, a word should be 

 written in favour of the Frog and Toad, for they 

 are both almost wholly insect-eaters, and do an 

 immense amount of good. 



Fishes, with the exception, perhaps, of afford- 

 ing us wholesome food, do not come under the 

 category of animals prominently useful to man- 

 kind, and a similar remark may be applied to the 

 Crayfish, Crabs, Lobsters, Shrimps, and their 

 allies. 



Spiders, as all sensible people know, are not only 

 wonderful, but distinctly useful creatures, and 

 there are, after them, a large number of insects 

 which perform useful service. 



Of these latter much might be written, but it 

 must suffice for us to mention the honey we obtain 

 from the Bees; the silk from the Silkworm Moth; 

 the Beetles, which so ably perform the part of 

 scavengers, and the Sexton Beetles, which so well 

 carry out the profession of insect-undertakers; 

 the Lacewing Fly and the Ladybird, which prey 

 upon the detestable Green Fly, and are to be 

 reckoned among the rosarian's best friends; the 

 Ichneumon Flies, which, by laying their eggs in the 

 Ggg or larva of an injurious insect, carry out good 

 work by getting rid of their host; and last, but 

 by no means least, the great usefulness of many 



