2 7 S 



Ml CROSCOPIC AL 



Essays. 



is the mean through which life is conveyed to the creatures of 

 this lower world; that by finking into error, and foftering evil 

 he perverts his own life, and corrupts all that which proceeds 

 from him : fo that the effects are the fame on the orders be- 

 neath him, as would arife to the world if a continual cloud was 

 placed between us and the fun, depriving us at once of the falu- 

 tary effects of it's invigorating heat and cheering light. 



Laftly. many in feels feed upon others ; nay, fome even upon 

 their own fpecies. The numbers of thefe two kinds are very 

 numerous ; and it is among!! thefe that we find the traces of the 

 greateft art and cunning, as well in attack as in defence. Some, 

 indeed, ufe main force alone, others employ addrefs and cunning. 

 Every body is acquainted with the dexterous arts of the fpider, 

 the curious web he fpins, it's regular conftruction, and the central 

 pofition of the fpider, in order to watch more effectually the lead 

 motion that may be communicated to it's tender net. The art 

 and hiftory of the formica leo are alfo well known, and a descrip- 

 tion of them would lead us too great lengths. Thofe who would 

 w T ifh to purfue this fubjecl; further, will find much fatisfaction in 

 confulting the works of Reaumur and De Geer. 



Of the Habitation ot Insects. 



Infects may be divided, with refpect. to their habitations, into 

 two claffes, aquatic and terreftriaL 



Standing waters are generally filled with infects, who live 

 therein in different manners. There are, 1. Aquatic infects which 

 remain always on the fuperficies of the water, or which at leaf!: 



plunge 



