354 ^^ INSECTS IN GENERAjL, 



life, would thus be more than half depopulated ; and that 

 gieat vivifying piinciple by wliich nature is acluated, 

 and by which life 13 multiplied and carried on in all the 

 elements without a paufe, would then be exerted in a 

 great meafiire in va:n. 



]>iit bt'Gdes the fiipply of food which infccls afford to 

 the funcrior animals, and their proving the grand iniliu- 

 ments in the hand of nature by which (lie fupports life 

 tiiroughout her dominions, they have always been deem- 

 ed ferviceable in the general fyftem, by preferving the 

 ialubrity of the air. Over the vvliole furface of the eartii, 

 thoie numberlcfs produftions that enjoy either animal cr 

 vegetable life, are contmual'y falhng into decay, and 

 making room for that furccffion of organized beings 

 Avith which nature conflantiy teems : Hence, it has been 

 fiippofed, that the atmofphere would fcon become unfit 

 f^r thic fupport of life, did not millions of Infe^ls ccn- 

 tinual'y confum'e the carrion, and other fubflances in a 

 fcate of putrefaction, and purge the air of the noxious 

 eiPaivia emitted fror.i them. It is probably the cflice of 

 liiofe fmall infecls vho cfcape cur obfervaticn, to deilrcy 

 tl'iofc no::iou3 particles with which that element is im- 

 pregnated, and wliich at certain feafons render it peftilen- 

 tial. 7"he operation of th.is clafs of animals upon putrid 

 fubftances, is much, more coniidcrable than a fuperficial 

 examination might fuggefl. It has been afierted by the 

 mofi: judicious and difctrning naturalifls, tliat the produce 

 of a dozen of flies will confume a dead carcafe in a 

 iiiorter fpacs than a hungry lion. If tliis be true, what 

 beneucisl cfFcils may be produced by that inconceivable 

 rumber of infecls, wliich in warm cjui:tiies ccntinuallj 

 fvvarm in the air ? 



