DIRECT INJURIES CAUSED BY INSECTS. 



95 



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 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 blessings, 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, instead of repining, be well content with our 

 lot, though our olFences have not wholly been passed over, 

 and we have been " beaten Avith 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, according 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 the end with several barbs not visible to the 

 naked eye, and each moving in the groove of a strong and 

 often curved sheath, frequently mistaken for the sting, 

 which, when the darts enter the flesh, usually injects a drop 

 of subtle venom, furnished from a peculiar vessel in which it 

 is secreted, into the wound, occasioning, especially if the 

 darts be not extracted, a considerable tumour, accompanied 

 by very acute pain. Many insects are thus armed and have 

 this power. Twice I have been stung by an Ichneumon ; 

 first by one with a concealed sting, and afterwards by another 

 of the family of Pimpla Manifestator, with a very long 

 exserted one. I had held the insect by its sting, which it 



