Microscopical E s s a y s. 



the caterpillar of the brown-tailed moth,* which was fo uncom- 

 monly numerous and deftruclive near London, in the year 1782, 

 at the approach of winter not only fecure and ftrengthen the web , 

 in which the fociety inhabit, and. thus protect t&eptfehaasi from- 

 impertinent intruders, but each individual alfo fpins a cafe for it-- 

 felf, where it refls in torpid fecurity, notwithstanding the in-- 

 clemency of the feafon, tilr the fpring animates it affefh, and,: 

 informs>them that the all-bountiful Author of nature has provided! 

 food convenient for them. Many that are hatchedih the autumn.* 

 retire and live under the earth during the winter months, but in; 

 the fpring come out, feed, and proceed onward to their, feveral; 

 changes ; while no fmall part- pafs the colder months in their, 

 chryfalis, or pupa flate : but the greater number of the caterpillar- 

 race remain in the egg, being carefully depofited by the parent 

 fly in thofe places where they will be hatched with the greateft; 

 fafety and fuccefs ; in this ftate the latent principle of life is pre=- 

 ferved _till the genial influences of the fpring call , it into aclion., . 

 and bring forth the young infecl.to (hare, the banquet. that nature, 

 has provided ; then wherever we turn, or wherever we move, we^ 

 find this infecl: in one fhape or another. 



" When firft breaks forth the bright enliv'ning ray ; 

 * * *< * * * * * * * 



— — ^ The gay, the quick ninginfe&s rife,-., 



And gilded fquadrons ftrike our wond 'ring eyes ; : 

 Mufic flies wanton from ten thousand wings, . 

 And life and joy through ev'ry region rings."-— *ff 



Alii 



* Curtis's fliort hi (lory of the brown-tailed moth,. 

 h Brooke's Uniyerfal Beauty, 



