[ 359 ] 
confuls is, that the molt obvious Ufe of them is for 
the Suftenance of other Animals. 
In the Clofe of this Chapter he annexes a few re- 
markable Curiofiries refulting from the Change. - 
The cafting of their Wings is an Inftance, he fays, 
peculiar to the large Ant-Flies $ thefe being to other 
Infofts their higheft Decorations; and the Want of 
them leffens their Beauty, and Shortens their Lives. 
On the reverfe, a large Ant-Fly gains by the Lofs, 
and is afterwards promoted to a Throne, and drops 
thefe external Ornaments, as Emblems of too much 
Levity for a Sovereign. 
CHAP. VIII. Our Author here treats of the incef- 
fant Labours of the Workers, the true Method 
of coiiedting their Provisions, and inquires into the 
Truth of the Opinion of laying up Corn, 
againft Winter, 
He fays, The general Subjed of this Chapter has 
been fo largely treated of, and well ihuftrated, by 
fome of the happieft Favourites of Minerva and 
.Apollo , that it is impoJflble to fet it off with more 
Beauty of Thought, or Elegance of Stile ; but per- 
haps, (fays he) in many Circumftances they have ra- 
ther fhewn the Poet than the Philofopher ; and rather 
indulged an extenfive Fancy, than Strictnefs of In- 
quiry. 
I mult here omit the Account the Author gives of 
the Labour and Induftry of the common Ants, which 
is certainly very curious, that I may avoid being 
tedious ; obferving only, in 'general, that the Feed- 
ing the Young is the mod laborious Exercife be- 
A a a longing 
o t,- 
