Of ANT S. 
95 
CHAP. IX. 
Reflexions upon the final Caufe , <?r Ufe of 
of Ants % with fome other Curiofities that 
have occurred to my Ohfervations on this 
furprizing Animal. 
HERE is no Point of Philofophy more 
1 difficult to refolve than final Caufes, or the 
particular Ends defigned by Providence in the va¬ 
rious Parts of the Creation. We may look upon 
it as a Maxim, that infinite Wifdom has ordered 
nothing in vain, nor formed any Circumftance 
without a proper Ufe. The Knowledge of this is 
often beyond our Sphere, and what we are ufu- 
ally better able to conjecture than determine. 
If a Man of Letters views a fine Piece of Clock- 
Work, although he cannot explain the immediate 
Tendency of every Wheel, yet his Philofophy 
will dictate to him the general Plan, and that 
each Movement had its Province affigned by the 
ingenious Artificer. Thus in the wonderful Cu¬ 
riofities of Nature, if Reafon cannot unfold, yet 
it is fufficient to convince us that all have their 
Purpofes allotted them by the fupreme Architect. 
Accord- 
