ON IHK FOOD OF FISH. 127 



legist, than to watch the changes and the habits of 

 the various insects that people the waters — to see 

 the most delicate, beautiful, and harmless little flies 

 in creation spring from curious and ungainly grubs, 

 or fierce predaceous larv£e, changed in form as in 

 nature, to a degree altogether unaccountable ! What 

 wonderful and interesting processes would not reveal 

 themselves to the curious observer ! How encouraged 

 he would be to note each new fact, and record every 

 phase of each transformation ! How valuable, too, 

 would be the study of the peculiarities of these 

 beautiful and almost microscopic entomostraca ! 

 What more delightful to the student than to know 

 that he is making new discoveries most beneficial 

 to mankind, and which will be connected with his 

 name in future generations ! There is no part of 

 creation uninteresting, without its uses, or which 

 does not possess its benefits for man ; and there 

 is none, therefore, which is not worthy of his most 

 earnest attention. Those who first study thiS science, 

 and who first discover its hidden secrets and virtues, 

 wiU deserve well of their country. For it is well 

 said, that "he is one of the greatest benefactors 

 to his country, who makes two blades of grass 

 grow where one grew before ; " and, therefore, he 

 who makes two, twenty, or two hundred fine fish, 



