INSECTS.

You probably know that insects derive their name, from the Latin word, insecta, signifying, to cut, because the bodies of many of them, for instance, the wasp, and the house-fly, seem to be almost divided, or cut off in the middle.

Some of the insect-tribes, are exceedingly beautiful. Among these, the butterflies are conspicuous. They are also very numerous, in their varieties. Naturalists count more than a thousand species. Their graceful forms, and brilliant colours, display His skill, who gives the bird its plumage, and the flower its beauty.

Yet not alone for their external garb, do we admire the insect-race. Some of them are possessed of a degree of intelligence, and a system of habits, which are worthy to awaken our curiosity, to inspire us with kindness, or at least to induce the rudest boy to leave them unmolested.

The bee, has long been quoted, as an example of cheerful industry. It gathers its sweet food, with a song, amid the earliest dews of the morning. A bee-hive, on a fine summer's day, is like a busy, and well-ordered city. Throngs are

going forth to their accustomed toil, and throngs returning to deposite the fruits of their labours.

If you look through a glass-hive, you will see some, building or repairing the cells, some taking care of their young, and others removing whatever encumbers, or deforms, the little, pure apartments. Sometimes you may observe a

group, bearing out a dead body.

All the toil abroad, the nursing-care at home, the arts which preserve wealth, and the funeral honours to the dead, go on without interruption, or interference. "So work the honey-bees," says Shakspeare, "and teach the arts of order, to a peopled kingdom."

A division of labour is established among them. While some nurse the infants, others collect materials for building, others work as masons, bricklayers, or plaisterers, others, like artists or professors of architecture, plan and polish the cells, and give symmetry to the whole.

One of the secrets of their prosperity, is a well-administered government. Their obedience, and attachment to the queen, are wonderful. No resistance is made to her authority, and she seems to govern with equal energy and wisdom.

Bees are said to be capable of attachment to those, under whose care they live. Marmontel, a celebrated French writer, mentions an aunt of his, whom the tenants of the hive, knew and

loved. He says, that in damp, or chilly weather, when their wings were torpid, she would take them in her hands, and revive them with her breath, and that so far from hurting her, they distinguished her with a grateful fondness.

Plutarch, the historian, relates a singular story of the bees of Crete, which in pursuit of flowers, often passed a cape, or promontory, where high winds prevail. He asserts, that they took with them a particle of gravel, to give weight to their bodies, that they might not be blown away; as a vessel takes in ballast, ere she pursues her voyage.

The wasp, is by no means a favourite. It presents us with no honied essence, and is often too free with its sting. Still, it displays skill, in the construction of its house, which it builds either on the ground, or in the cavity of a tree, with two entrances, and surrounded by a wall. It makes use of the cells, only for the lodgement of its young, and shows great paternal tenderness, and attachment to its home.

The ants give us lessons of industry and prudence. "Consider their ways, and be wise," said king Solomon. In summer, they lay up a store, for the winter's want. If they have a heavy load to transport, they unite their strength, until it is drawn to the granary. If a single one, labours under too severe a burden, others hasten to his assistance.

The numerous cells, of their dwellings, are united by little subterranean galleries. If these are molested, or destroyed, they remove to a different neighbourhood, and construct another habitation. They are said to possess as much sagacity, as perseverance.

When Dr. Franklin was ambassador in France, he was once taking his breakfast alone, in Paris, and observed a number of black ants, climbing over the lumps of sugar. He drove them away, but they returned. To test their ingenuity, he caused the sugar-bowl to be suspended from the ceiling, a few inches over the table.

When all was again quiet, the ants returned, and endeavoured to reach the treasure, by standing upon each other's shoulders. Mounted in this manner, the highest one reached earnestly upwards, but in vain. The chain of ants fell, as fast as it was raised, like the pride of the builders of Babel.

After many attempts, they disappeared. The philosopher thought they had given up the matter. Not so. In due time, they were seen descending the string, having scaled the walls, traversed the ceiling, and like Hannibal, crossed the Alps, to fasten upon the spoil.

The white ants, or termites, as they are sometimes called, are very powerful insects. They inhabit warm countries, and their houses are raised in the form of a sugar-loaf, ten or twelve

feet in height. Their appetite being as great as their strength, they are very destructive to any object, which they select for food.

With some of the habits of the spider, we are all acquainted. Though the threads of its web are so fine, each one is composed of several strands twisted together. Within his establishment, he builds a secret cell, as soft as silk, where he lies in ambush, seeking for prey.

Though we cannot praise the amiable qualities of the spider, we may learn from him a lesson of perseverance. If his house is swept down, he rebuilds it. If the stores of food which he had laid up, are destroyed, he hastens to replenish them. He is never discouraged, or dejected.

When King Robert Bruce was defeated, and unfortunate, he was once sitting alone, in a rude apartment, ready to despair. Almost unconsciously, he fixed his eyes upon a spider, who was toiling to construct its web.

Many times was it baffled, ere it could fix its filmy line on the point which it desired. Yet whenever it was disappointed, it returned to the charge, with courage and patience. At length it succeeded.

Robert Bruce, beheld the perseverance of the insect, and received instruction. He resumed his own toils, and was victorious. Here was a king, learning from a spider, not to be discouraged at difficulties.