214 HYMENOPTERA. 
portant subjects, to which, I trust, this 
will be a useful preparation. A general 
idea of natural history enlarges and for- 
tifies the mind ; it teaches us how to ob- 
serve the wonderful economy of nature, 
and materially assists our reasoning fa- 
culties. 
I was therefore happy to take advan- 
tage of your casual discovery of the little 
moth, when emerging from its chrysalis 
case, to lead you at once into this de- 
partment of natural history ; and in ad- 
dition to the rational amusement it has 
afforded, it will secure you from the 
foolish fears and prejudices, respect- 
ing insects^ which torment so many 
people. 
Lucy. No, mamma, I cannot, now, 
be so childish as to be afraid of a poor 
caterpillar ; or even of a Harry-Longlegs^ 
as Miss W was the other day. 
Mother, Fears of that kind arise 
from ignorance ; she did not know, that 
these creatures have neither the inclina- 
tion nor the power to hurt us. 
