gig OF INSECTS IN GENERA!,. 
fands of the fame noxious race were continually entering 
into his lungs by breathing. During the whole of the 
fummer months, the atmofphere teems with myriads of 
fmall animals, and particularly in the months of July 
and Augnft : It is then that the exc'efiive numbers that 
are conveyed into the ftomach and lungs, probably gene- 
rate thofe epidemic diforders for which that feafon of the 
year is fo remarkable. If we pafs from thofe dangers 
which are lefs vifible, to others more apparent, with 
which infects threaten the human race, we fir all ftill find 
room to commilerate the inhabitants of many parts of the 
globe. What an uncomfortable life mult the poor Lap- 
lander lead, fince, at certain feafons of the year, the 
number of infefts is fo great, that a candle is no fooner 
lighted than the flame is extinguilhed by the multitudes 
that flock to it ; where, after millions are deftroyed, fa- 
milhed millions fucceed, and renew the unceafing com- 
bat. Even in Britain, which is happily free from thefe 
unrelenting invaders, much inconvenience is often felt 
from the bug, the hornet, the wafp, and the bee *. 
To counteract thefe inveterate enemies of man, and to 
relieve him from the mifehiefs they occafion, ought al- 
ways to be one aim of the entymologift : and no perfon 
will deny, that whoever, by the ftudy of infeCts, has found 
the means of availing himfelf of the labours of fuch as 
are ufeful, or preventing the noxious from doing harm, 
hath rendered an effential fervice to mankind. 
After all, however, it will readily he allowed, that 
in purfuing the hiftory of infeCts, the number of ufeful 
obfervations 
* The firft of thefe animals has been found to be effeiSlually dellroj'e4 
by the fmoak of peat. 3 
