160 HUMBLE CREATURES. 



we have been able thus far to obtain from our popular 

 inquiries. 



Firstj theUj we trust that we have succeeded in 

 showing beyond a doubt that those creatures which 

 many persons are in the habit of regarding as com- 

 monplace, or even contemptible, are found, on nearer 

 examiaation, to be far more interesting than the first 

 glance would lead us to imagine, and that the con- 

 sideration of their various parts serves to teach us, in 

 a simple and efiScient manner, upon what principles 

 the organization of the whole animal fabric is based. 

 The ease with which we can penetrate their ex- 

 ternal integument or envelope for the purpose of ex- 

 amining their vital organs, or can even contemplate 

 the functional operations of these whilst the creatures 

 are alive, without the infliction of pain or injury*, 

 renders them peculiarly suitable as objects of study 

 for the uninitiated in the mysteries of science. 



"We have seen also that their abundance is a great 

 advantage in the sense just referred to ; for those who 

 have not the time, inclination, or opportunity to enter 

 a dissecting-room, may almost at any time secure a 

 Worm, a Fly, or a Bee, and submit it to microscopical 

 investigation. The very universality, therefore, that 

 has rendered them so commonplace, constitutes in 

 the eyes of the naturalist their chief value as objects 

 of study and investigation. 



But have we found that the naturalist alone is 

 benefited by the existence of these vulgar creatures ? 

 * See note on page 68. 



