88 
The Natural Hiftory of the : Book UE: 
They feem to be exactly of the fame Species with the Gnat in England. 
They fwarm upon the Face and Hands, as well as upon every other 
Part of the Skin expofed to the Air; and almoft in an Inftant dart a {mall 
Prebofcis from their Mouths, and penetrate fo deep as to draw Blood, 
leaving generally an angry little Tumor behind. 
As the Wind rifes, they are no more to be feen, except behind Doors or 
Window-fhutters, till the Return of the calm Mornings or Evenings, not 
being able to ftand againft the Wind that blows in the Day-time. 
Of REPTILES and INSECTS, 
“WOVE former are denominated from their creeping or crawling upon 
their Bellies, either with Feet, as the Caterpillers, or without 
Feet, as the Snakes and Earth-worms. rs 
The latter are likewife generally divided into Aquatic and Terreftrial. 
Thefe, tho’ often vile in Appearance, yet all of them, in their feve- 
ral Ranks and Stations, proclaim aloud the Wifdom and Power of their 
Creator. 
Their Variety, their Difpofitions, their Sagacity, their Policy, their In- 
duftry, the wonderful Proportion of their Organs, the Delicacy of their 
Strudture, anda Thoufand other Curiofities, obfervable in every Species, 
are Matter of wonderful Delight and Pleafure to a curious and inquifitive 
Genius: But, were we able to examine them in a nearer View ; could we 
ke capable of knowing all the dire& Purpofes of infinite Wifdom in their 
Creation, in the Relation they bear, and the harmonious Proportion 
they ftand in, to the univerfal Syftem ; it would afford us endlefs Matter of 
Aftonifhment and Surprize, as well as of religious Reverence and Ado- 
ration to their omnipotent Creator. 
Tho’ fmall and contemptible they-appear to us, they are really formed 
with the moft exquifite Symmetry, the moft delicate Proportion. An 
attentive Eye,. aflifted with the Ufe of Microfcopes, difcovers in them 
aftonifhing Marks of Wifdom, arming, cloathing, and accommodating 
them with all the Inftruments and Faculties neceflary to their Condition. 
The SNAKE. 
7 E have but one Species of the Snake-kind in this Ifland, of which 
I have not feen above Seven in Seven Years. 
The largeft that I faw was not above Three Feet long. 
They are not at all hurtful, except to young Pigeons and Poultry, or 
fmall Birds, Mice, &c. 
: ‘I cannot here omit a remarkable Inftance of Superftition of a Negro, 
with regard to one of thofe Snakes. 
_ A Man 
