268 MEANS OF DEFENCE OF INSECTS. 
restris, when labouring under Acariasis* from the num- 
bers of a small mite (Gammasus Gymnopterorum, F.) that 
infest it, will take its station in an ant-hill; where be- 
ginning to scratch, and kick, and make a disturbance, 
the ants immediately come out to attack it, and falling 
foul of the mites, they destroy or carry them all off; 
when the bee, thus delivered from its enemies, takes its 
flight. 
In this long detail, the first idea that will, I should 
hope, strike the mind of every thinking being, is the 
truth of the Psalmist’s observation—that the tender mer- 
cies of God are over all his works. Not the least and 
most insignificant of his creatures is, we see, deprived of 
his paternal care and attention; none are exiled from 
his all-directing providence. Why then should man, 
the head of the visible creation, for whom all the infe- 
rior animals were created and endowed; for whose well- 
being, in some sense, all these wonderful creatures with 
their miraculous instincts, whose history I am giving 
you, were put in action,—why should he ever doubt, if 
he uses his powers and faculties rightly, that his Creator 
will provide him with what is necessary for his present 
state?-Why should he imagine that a Being, whose 
very essence is Love, unless he compels him by his own 
wilful and obdurate wickedness, will ever cut him off from 
his care and providence ? 
Another idea that upon this occasion must force it- 
self into our mind is, that nothing is made in vain. When 
we find that so many seemingly trivial variations in the 
colour, clothing, form, structure, motions, habits, and 
* Vor. I. 4th Ed. 97— 
