120 DIRECT INJURIES CAUSED BY INSECTS. 



on one side of us the ravages of the wide-wasting sword, 

 on another those of infectious disease or pestilence, on a 

 third famine destroying its myriads, and on a fourth life 

 rendered uncomfortable by the terror of "noisome beasts," 

 and the attack of noxious insects : and when we look at 

 home and see every one eating his bread in peace, pro- 

 tected in his enjoyments by equal laws executed by a 

 mild government under a paternal king, without fearing 

 the sword of the oppressor ; not scourged by pestilence 

 or famine, exposed to the attack of no ferocious animal, 

 and comparatively speaking but slightly visited by the 

 annoyance of insect tormentors ; and especially when we 

 further reflect that it is his mercy and not our merits 

 which has induced him thus to overwhelm us with bless- 

 ings, while other countries have been made to drink 

 deep of the cup of his fury, we shall see reason for an 

 increased degree of thankfulness and gratitude, and, in- 

 stead of repining, be well content with our lot, though 

 our offences have not wholly been passed over, and we 

 have been " beaten with few stripes." 



Besides the insects that seek to make us their food, 

 there are others, which, although we are apt to regard 

 them with the greatest horror, do not attack us with this 

 view, but usually to revenge some injury which they 

 have received, or apprehend from us. Foremost in 

 the list of these are those with four wings, which, accord- 

 ing to the observation of Pliny before quoted, carry their 

 weapon, an instrument of revenge, in their tail. These 

 all belong to the Linnean order Hymenoptera ; and the 

 tremendous arms with which they annoy us, are two 

 darts finer than a hair, furnished on their outer side at 



