WALK X.

INSECTS-- MOSQUITOES-GNATS-SOUNDS OF

INSECTS-CHAFERS-BEE

TLES-DIAMOND, BURYING, AND STAG BEETLES-PILL CHAFER-PTINUS

-DEATH-WATCH-LADY BUG CURCULIO-GLOW-WORM-EARWIG-COCKROACH-MANTIS-LOCUSTS-MOLE CRICKET-LANTERN-FLY-GRASSHOPPERS-APHIS-COCHINEAL-LINES ON THE WEATHER.

MR. PERCY. Well, Edward, how far have we advanced in our study of the Linnean System of Zoology?

EDWARD. We finished our review of the FOURTH CLASS-of fishes.

We did; and when we first thought of the plan of examining it in our walks, you were afraid we should never be able to notice all the classes and orders; and now we have but two more classes to investigate. We have gone through the Four Classes of Beasts,

Birds, Amphibious Animals, and Fishes, in nine walks.

Is this, then, our tenth walk only, since we have begun to converse on the subject?

It is only the tenth. You remind me of a remark you have often made in the course of my studies, that a man will make sure progress in learning a language or anything else, if he will really acquire a little knowledge of it every day.

He will. We should not be discouraged at difficulties. A man may make a visible progress in removing a mountain, who every day takes away as much as he can carry at once. You did not reach the top of St. Paul's by lazy wishes that you were there; or by standing on the ground and looking up with the foolish exclamation, "It is such a long way up, we shall never get there; and so we won't try!" No; but you took step after step; and, though you were tired, you reached the summit, and you had your reward-the beautiful and sublime prospect which burst on your delighted gaze. And so, by de

grees, but with very little effort, you have really become acquainted with the world of animals, as they are beautifully arranged by a great genius, of nice observation and distinguished ability.

I find a much greater interest in every creature I now see, than I once did. I no sooner see an animal, but I think of the class and order to which it belongs, and on what account. As you always tell me what subject you mean to talk about, and give me some book to read on that particular branch of it; I find it easy to accompany you, and I the more readily retain what you say.

I am sure you do.

The FIFTH CLASS is the next that invites our attention; I think you recollect the subject?

It is INSECTS; I have been reading a chapter on it. The word is a Latin one, and means cut in two; because insects, like the bee or wasp, seem to be composed of two parts, united only by a thread.

It is so; but you know the subject already; may we not take another with which you are unacquainted?

No, sir; I know it but partially; and conversing on it will more deeply impress what I do know upon my memory. But is it not strange that crabs and lobsters should have been placed by Linneus among the insects?

I rather approve of the arrangement of Cuvier, who places them under the head crustaceous animals; this seems more proper.

Are not insects very inferior to those nobler parts of the creation which have come under our consideration?

They may be so in some points of view. Of course we do not place a butterfly, or even a bee, on a level with a horse or cow. But insects form a very important and very interesting part of animated nature. Every portion of the Creator's works presents to the contemplative mind a display of indescribable power, wisdom, and goodness. "After an attentive examination," says a foreign naturalist, "of the nature and anatomy of the smallest as well as the largest animals, I cannot help allowing the least an equal, or,

perhaps, a superior degree of dignity. If, while we dissect with care the larger animals, we are filled with wonder at the elegant disposition of their parts, to what a height is our astonishment raised when we discover all these parts arranged in the least in the same regular manner! Notwithstanding the smallness of ants, nothing hinders our preferring them to some larger animals, if we consider either their unwearied diligence, their wonderful strength, or their inimitable propensity to labour. Their amazing love to their young is still more surprising. They not only daily carry them to such places as may afford them food; but if, by accident, they are killed, and even cut into pieces, they will, with the utmost tenderness, carry them away piecemeal. Who can show such an example among the larger animals which are dignified by the title of perfect?" I do not altogether agree with this writer, although many of his observations are correct. All the works of God are wonderful and well worthy of our most attentive examination; but an emmet can never