120 Life and Immortality. 
within the protecting walls of his underground castle, with 
a pair of powerful swords with which to defend himself, he 
is the impersonation of fearlessness and courage. 
When fully grown the larva closes up the mouth of its 
abode, and in quiet and solitude undergoes its metamorphosis, 
lying dormant during the winter months. But when the 
breath of warm spring days has melted the icy coldness of 
the earth, and filled the air with vivifying influences, then 
comes it forth in all the pomp and splendor of its nature— 
a winged existence. 
It has been seen what a beautiful adaptation of means to 
an end is shown by the young Cicindela. Even the adult, or 
mature form, with its long, slender legs, so admirably formed 
for silence and fleetness of movement, which are alike neces- 
sary to pursuit of prey and escape from enemies, displays the 
wisdom of Him who breathed into all animated nature, no 
matter how small or how humble. the essence of His being, 
and endowed one and all with qualities of mind and body 
which should respond to environing conditions and thus pre- 
pare them to survive in the struggle fer existence. 
