To higher life; by myriads, forth at once,
Swarming they pour; of all the varied hues
Their beauty-beaming parent can disclose.
Ten thousand forms! ten thousand different tribes!
People the blaze.”
Many of them are decked with the richest finery. Their eyes are an assemblage of microscopes. The common Fly, for instance, perpetually surrounded with enemies, having neither strength to resist, nor a retreat to secure herself, has need to be very vigilant, and always on her guard: but her head is so fixed that she cannot turn it to see her danger; Providence, therefore, to supply this apparent defect, has given her more than a legion of eyes, insomuch that a single Fly is supposed to have no less than eight thousand. Nay, it is asserted that the common Dragon-fly is furnished with 25,000 of these diminutive lenses! By the help of this truly amazing apparatus, she sees on every side, with the utmost ease and speed, though without any motion of the eye, or inflection of the neck. The dress of insects is a vesture of resplendent colors, bespangled with an arrangement of the brightest gems.
“The little gnat, in beauties, may compare
With all his rival brothers of the air;
Transparent feathers, purple, green and gold,
His wings, small feet, and gay-fringed tail enfold.