lars we destroy! How many flies buzz around us, without in the least exciting our curiosity! Nothing is more unreasonable than such inattention; for it is certain, that the wisdom and power of our Creator is no less manifest in the construction of a worm, a snail, &c. than in that of an elephant, a horse, or a lion. The body of most insects is composed of several rings, which link one within another, and have a part in all the motions of the animal. The essential character which distinguishes insects is, that, properly speaking, they have no bones. Even in this circumstance of their formation, much wisdom is shewn. The motions adapted to insects, the manner in which they are obliged to seek food, and particularly the many transformations they go through, could not be so easily performed, if, instead of these moveable rings which go to and fro, their bodies were connected and fastened by bones. It is observable in several insects, that they have the power to contract or enlarge their head, to lengthen or to shorten it, to conceal or to shew it, just as they please, and as their different situations require. The mouth of insects is generally provided with a sort of teeth or a trunk. This is necessary, both on account of their food, and the different pursuits they are exposed to. Many insects are blind, but they are made amends by the touch, or some other sense. Insects have two sorts of eyes. Those which are smooth and bright, are in small numbers; but the net-work eyes, like shagreen, and the cornea of which is cut faucet-ways, are very numerous. There are sometimes thousands of them. Neither of these are moveable, but their number and position supply that defect. The horns which most insects are furnished with are of great use to them.

These

These sort of horns, by going before the body, and feeling out their way, not only warn the animal of the dangers with which it is threatened, but are a means to discover their proper food.--The legs of insects are either scaly or membraneous. The former move by means of many joints; and the latter, which are more simple, move everyway. Sometimes the same animal has both these sort of legs. There are insects which have seve ral hundred feet, without going faster than those who have but four. In regard to this part of the body, there is infinite variety among insects. With what art must the limbs of those be constructed which fasten on smooth and polished surfaces! How elastic must the legs of those be which leap! How strong must those be of the insects which dig in the ground!-Two or four wings are placed in the middle of the body. Some are as transparent as a thin gauze; others are scaly and mealy: Some are without covering others are concealed in cases. At the sides, or the extremity of the body, there are orifices in the form of sloes, that are called prints. They are the organs of respiration. The variety observable in the construction and form of the limbs of insects is prodigious; and the lives of many men would not be long enough to observe and describe the different forms of these little animals. How varied are those of insects which walk, fly, leap, or crawl! And yet, however different their form may be, they are always in the same harmony and perfect proportion. Would it not be the height of extravagance and perverseness, not to acknowledge, in all this, the infinite wisdom of the Creator? We are only rational and virtuous, in proportion as we acknowledge God, and adore him in all things. Let us acquit ourselves

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selves of these duties. If we see but an insect, let us study as much as possible its wonderful construction, in order to be more sensible of the greatness of God.

གན

AUGUST VII,

COMPARISON BETWEEN THE SENSES OF MEN AND ANIMALS.

ARE there any animals whose senses are more perfect than those of man? It is only in particular cases that this question can be answered in the affirmative: for it may be said of man, that, in this respect also, he is in general more favoured than the brute creation. It is indeed asserted, that spiders have a finer feeling, the vulture, the bee, and the dog, a much keener smell: It is known that by means of this sense, the hound follows the track of the game; and that other dogs are taught to find truffle under ground. The hog also digs it up with his snout, guided by the smell. The stags are supposed to have so quick a hearing, as to perceive the sound of bells several miles off; and the mole hears better under ground than man, who inhabits the surface, and lives in open air. In regard to sight, the eagle and the lynx have greatly the advantage of man. These

remarks are certainly true; but if we come to consider animals on the whole, and compare them to man, we are struck with one great privilege given to mankind, over a great number of the brute creation. Man is naturally endowed with five senses; and this advantage is not given to half the animals. The zoophites, which form the link between the animal and the vegetable kingdom, have

only

only the sense of feeling. Many have but two senses; others have three; and those which have five are reckoned among the most perfect. But even the most perfect of them have not always senses more exquisite than ours. Indians can judge by their smell how much alloy is mixed in precious metals, as well as we can by applying the touchstone to it; others, we are told, can discover at a great distance the retreats of wild beasts. The inhabitants of the Antilla islands can distinguish, by the smell, whether a Frenchman or a Black has passed by. The savages are in some measure compensated for the weakness of their intellectual faculties by the quickness of their senses. Many people have exercised and improved certain senses to an astonishing degree; and if mankind were like the animals, without other assistance besides their senses to procure food, and to guard them against dangers, if reason was not their surer and better guide, their senses, without doubt, would have acquired the highest degree of perfection by exercising them to advantage. But, in reality, man does not require senses more exquisite than he possesses: reason compensates an hundred fold for some privileges which certain animals appear to have over him. We may even be assured, that if our senses were more keen, it would be very inconvenient to us. Let us, for example, consider hearing. If we had this sense as quick as the safety of animals requires theirs to be, even the most distant noise, and the stunning din of mixed sounds, would continually interrupt our meditations, our repose, and our noblest employments.

Thanks to the infinite wisdom of the Creator, which has so measured the quickness of our senses, that it is enough to enjoy fully the blessings

of nature, without disturbing the noblest occupations of human reason. Our senses being limited is an advantage rather than a loss to us, a perfection rather than an imperfection. Happy the man who allows his reason to govern his senses, and who enjoys all the advantages which must result from a perfect harmony between both.

པར་ར”ར》...........

AUGUST VIII.

THUNDER.

THE thunder roars, O mortal man! Who is it that causes this terrible noise? Who darteth the lightning from the clouds? Behold, O sinner! it is the Ruler of the world, it is the hand of the Most High which hurls the thunder-bolt. Nature rests in his hands, he preserves and blesses it but at his all-mighty word, the heavens and the earth are consumed in flames. The thunder roars! How dreadful is the stormy sky! The lightning flashes! The thunder-bolt is shot! O God! how great art thou, and how terrible is thy power! The Lord, from his throne on high, darts angry looks upon us; and by the light of his lightning we see the grave open under our feet. When the Lord sits in the clouds, men and heroes tremble. When he sharpeneth his anger against us the universe turns pale. God directs the thunder; the sinner hears and shudders. Scarce does he dare to raise his eyes towards him whose voice seems to threaten him. Christian, let not the majesty of thy God affright thy soul, when he sits in the stormy clouds, and darts his lightning. When the mighty sound of thunder terrifies the wicked man,

thy