171

The Julus sabulosus is very common in th soft mould of hollow trees. The young, when first hatched, are of a whitish hue, though they gradually acquire a colour approaching to black. At that time, three pair of legs only appear: in a few days the number is increased, and, by the time the insect has attained maturity, amounts, on each side, to an hundred and twenty.

We have now gone through the seven orders of insects, and, you must agree, that they present a curious and surprising display of harmony, variety, beauty, and contrivance, in their structure; the most extraordinary diversity in their metamorphoses; and the most interesting design in their habits, whether considered with reference to providing for their young, defend ing themselves from their enemies, or laying snares for their prey. Notwithstanding so much has been discovered of the wonders of this tiny order of beings, by the patient invest igation of naturalists, assisted by the microscope, it cannot be doubted that a great many surprising instances of the exquisite wisdom which has formed them, and established the laws by which they are governed, elude our search; and that there still remains a wide field, for the attentive observation of those who delight t look through Nature up to Nature's

i2   God.