Packard ] RELATIONS of insects to man. 
65 
3, ^latixxtxs ni tosBcts to 
I N continuing these half-hour talks about insects, some 
remarks Upon the more direct relations of these little 
beings to human interests may not be inappropriate. We 
may, from our moral and intellectual heights, look down 
upon the lower world of insects as did the gods and demi¬ 
gods of old from Olympus upon their half-brothers and 
cousins-german on the plains below. For physically are 
we not related to the insects? Remotely, it is true, but 
still we have perhaps branched off from a common stock, 
the starting point some monad. Our blood differs in qual¬ 
ity and not in kind; our muscles are but repetitions in 
structure of the flesh of insects; and finally, an insect 
at the outset is but a drop of oil and albumen or proto¬ 
plasm, and from what else does man originate? Allied as 
he is also to the beasts and lower animals in being at times 
under the control of fierce passions and animal propensities, 
while morally and intellectually the noblest work of the 
Creator, one effect of the recent advances in the science of 
man, which indicate that his animal origin is a matter of 
strong probability, will be to draw out his interest in the 
humbler creatures, to lead him to deal with them more sym¬ 
pathetically, to love his domesticated animals more wisely 
and truly; while he may not the less, by worship of his Cre¬ 
ator and work for humanity, strengthen the diviner impulses 
of his nature. 
“ He prayeth well, who loveth well 
Both man and bird and beast.” 
Every true naturalist is an ex-officio member of the “Society 
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. ,, He will not beat 
his horse or dog any more than his own children. Rather 
5 1 
