4 OF INSECTS IN GENERAL, 
Another objedt highly worthy the attention of the eU- 
tymologifl, is the means of preferving corn from the in- 
vafion of infedts, after it is collected into granaries. Our 
fubfiftence in almoft every ftage of its progrefs, is con- 
fl.intly expofed to the intrufions of thefe enemies of hu- 
man induftry. Flour, bifcuit, and almoft every kind of 
provifion, even after it is barrelled up for exportation, 
is liable to be devoured, or rendered ufclefs, by the de- 
predations of the moll hideous animals. The patriotifm 
of ftatefmen, and their zeal for the good of mankind, 
could not receive a nobler or more ufeful direction than 
in holding out rewards to fuch as might difcover the moll 
effedtual means of preventing the ravages of thofe ani- 
mals, who, by the moll deftructive activity, are conti- 
nually converting large flores of provifiohs into fo many 
mafles of corruption. 
May it not be hoped, that by a careful fludy of the 
nature of infedls, fome means may be difeovered to pre- 
vent them from penetrating into' the joilts of buildings, 
and thereby reducing them into dull, and effecting the 
deftrudlion of the moll coftly edifices. How often do we 
find wooden furniture deftroyed by infedls, which might 
have anfwered the purpofes for which it was intended for 
ages, had it been preferved from the deftructive attacks 
of thefe animals ? How many accidents are probably oc- 
cafioned at fea by thofe formidable worms, whofe heads 
are armed with hard fhells, and who are thereby enabled 
to gnaw through the thickefl veflels, and make perfora- 
tions under the water ? The alarms they have frequently 
occafioned in Holland , by introducing chemfelves and mul- 
tiplying among thofe wooden flakes which fupport their 
dikes, are univerfally known. The naturaliil who Ihould 
difcover 
