.532 



the s^reat chain of nature: all, more or lefs, are cndovved 

 with the fame inclinations, even man, intelleciual man, 

 is the moli; dellruftive of all animals. 



The powers with which fome of the feemingly moO: 

 contemptible beings are endowed, to promote the fpeedy 

 deflruction of ufelefs matter, cannot perhaps be better 

 exemplified, than by Mr. Smeathman's curious acount 

 of the Ttrmes, or what has been commonly called W'litc- 

 ant, given in the Pliilofophical TranfaEliom for 1781, 

 to which we refer our readers. 



That the Teredines, as well as tlie P/wlades, and many 

 other aquatic animals were created, by the Father of the 

 Univeife, for equally beneficent purpofes in that element 

 cannot be difputed ; for though they may feem to impede, 

 and even dedroy the operations of man in fome degree, 

 yet, they are of fuch importance in the great fcale of 

 nature, that, as it has been obferved, it would not be 

 difficult to prove, we fliould feel the want of one or two 

 fpecies of larger quadrupeds much lefs, than one or two 

 fpecies of thefe defpicable-looking animals. 



Were it not for thefe, whofe office it Is to perfe6l what 

 nature has already begun on land, either by the means 

 of infe61s, or tornadoes, which by the aid of rapid tor- 

 rents would fill the tropical rivers with timber, and not 

 only choke them up, but even endanger the navigation 

 of tb.c neighbouring feas, and perhaps the diftant ocean; 



for 



