THE FLY. 11 



and omnipotence of the Creator. That the insect 

 and its congeners were formed long before man, is 

 evident from the circumstance that traces of its fragile 

 remains have been discovered far down in the geo- 

 logical formations. Then, as now, each mechanical 

 portion of its structure was suited to the element 

 upon which it operated, or that entered the body of 

 which it was to become a constituent part. Then, too, 

 its wings propelled it rapidly through the limpid atmo- 

 sphere, and its spiracles sifted the self-same atmo- 

 sphere before admitting it into the circulating tubes. 

 The insects that formerly existed were chiefly such 

 as were suited to a life in the vast woods and forests, 

 and their larvae were developed in the earth itself*; 

 but when man received possession of the earth, and, 

 in accordance with his Maker's wiU, beautified and 

 laid it out in gardens, then the Creator altered the 

 nature even of the humble Fly, and brought iato 

 existence new races, adapted iu their structure and 

 habits to the changed stuface, or produced in greater 

 abimdance the requisite forms, that had before been 

 but sparingly distributed f- These revelled amongst 

 sweet-scented flowers and herbs, and their young were 

 reared upon decaying vegetation. Even in the past 

 history of the insignificant Fly, therefore, and in the 

 links that have connected it with creation, do we 

 read of steadfast unity of purpose, eternal wisdom in 

 design, and boimdless power in execution. 



* The Nemocera, or long-homed Diptera. 

 t The Brachycera, or short-homed Diptera. 



r 



