INSECTS. 



Each moss, 

 Each shell, each crawling insect, holds a rank 

 Important in the plan of Him who fram'd 

 This scale of beings; holds a rank, which lost 

 Would break the chain, and leave a gap 

 That nature's self would rue ! 



HE Insect division of the animal world received 

 its name from the individuals of which it is com- 

 posed having a separation in the middle of their 

 bodies, by which they are cut into two parts. 

 These parts are in general connected by a slender 

 ligament or hollow thread. 



Insects breathe through pores arranged along their 

 sides * ; and have a head or bony skin, and many 

 feet. The greater part of them are furnished with 

 wings. They are destitute of brain, nostrils, ears., 

 and eyelids. Not only the liver, but all the secret- 

 ory glands are, in them, replaced by long vessels 

 that float in the abdomen. The mouth is in general 

 situated under the head ; and is furnished with 



* The Crab and Lobster tribes form an exception to this rule, for 

 they respire by means of gills. 



