OF INSECTS IN GENERAL, 307 



Jpecles of infecls are not onlj numerous, but each has its 

 own diftind hlftory, and exhibits manners, appetites, and 

 modes of propagation peculiarly its own. In the larger 

 ranks of exiftence, two animals that nearly refemble each 

 other in form, will be found to have a fimilar hiftory ; 

 but here, infefts almofl entirely alike will be found very 

 diffimiiar in their habits, and in the different changes 

 which they undergo during their fliort lives *. To give 

 a full enumeration of all the animals contatned in this 

 province of nature, would prove a talk extremely ardu- 

 ous ; one which no naturalift has ever pretended to ac- 

 complifli. To furnifh a diftinct and complete hiftory of 

 each, is an undertaking for which the human powers 

 feem altogether unequal ; their imperfedlion, at leaft, 

 forbids us to hope that it will ever be efFe£led. 



But although a complete hiilory of the operations of 

 nature in this large and populous part of her empire can- 

 pot be expedled j yet, fuch a general piclure may be 

 given, as fhall demonftrate the exiftence of that great vi- 

 vifying principle by which fhe is animated, and by which 

 file is enabled continually to pour forth into exiftence 

 fuch immenfe numbers of organized beings. A hiftory 

 of fuch infedls as moft frequently occur, and whofe man- 

 ners are beft known, will prefsnt to us a pleafing view 

 of that protection which providence alTords even to the 

 fmallell of its creatures ; — of the means it employs for 

 perpetuating them j — and of that great arrangement of 

 nature, by which one fet of living beings find fubfiflence, 

 by devouring another, and by which life is continued 

 through every part of the creation, without a paufe. 



Q^q 2 Natural 



* Goldftnith's Natural Ilil^oj-y, Vol. VII. p. 239. 



