“ Nicostratus in vElian, finding a curious piece of wood, and being wondered 
at by one, and asked what pleasure he could take to stand as he did still gaz- 
ing on the picture ? answered, ( Hadst thou mine eyes, my friend, thou wouldst 
not wonder, but rather be ravished as I am at the inimitable art of this rare and 
admirable piece. I am sure no picture can express so much wonder and excel- 
lency as the smallest insect : but we want Nicostratus his eyes to behold them. 
“ And the praise of God’s wisdom and power lies asleep and dead in every 
creature, until man actuate and enliven it. I cannot, therefore, altogether con- 
ceive it unworthy of the greatest mortals to contemplate the miracles of nature, 
and that as they are more visible in the smallest and almost contemptible crea- 
tures, for there most lively do they express the infinite power and wisdom of 
the great Creator, and erect and draw the minds of the most intelligent to the 
first and prime Cause of all things, teaching them as the power, so the presence 
of the Deity in the smallest insects.” Samuel Purchas. 
