In this long detail, the first idea that will, I should hope, strike the mind of every thinking being, is the truth of the Psalmist's observation—that the tender mercies of God are over all his works. Not the least and most insignificant of his creatures is, we see, deprived of his paternal care and attention; none are exiled from his all-directing providence. Why then should man, the head of the visible creation, for whom all the inferior animals were created and endowed; for whose well-being, in some sense, all these wonderful creatures with their miraculous instincts, whose history I am giving you, were put in action,—why should he ever doubt, if he uses his powers and faculties rightly, that his Creator will provide him with what is necessary for his present state?—Why should he imagine that a Being, whose very essence is Love, unless he compels him by his own wilful and obdurate wickedness, will ever cut him off from his care and providence?
Another idea that upon this occasion must force itself into our mind is, that nothing is made in vain. When we find that so many seemingly trivial variations in the colour, clothing, form, structure, motions, habits, and economy of insects are of very great importance to them, we may safely conclude that the peculiarities in all these respects, of which we do not yet know the use, are equally necessary: and we may almost say, reversing the words of our Saviour, that not a hair is given to them without our Heavenly Father.
I am, &c.
[LETTER XXII.]
MOTIONS OF INSECTS. (Larva and Pupa.)
Amongst the means of defence to which insects have recourse, I have noticed their motions. These shall be the subject of the present letter. I shall not, however, confine myself to those by which they seek to escape from their enemies; but take a larger and more comprehensive survey of them, including not only every species of locomotion, but also the movements they give to different parts of their body when in a state of repose: and in order to render this survey more complete, I shall add to it some account of the various organs and instruments by which they move.
Whenever you go abroad in summer, wherever you turn your eyes and attention, you will see insects in motion. They are flying or sailing every where in the air; dancing in the sun or in the shade; creeping slowly, or marching soberly, or running swiftly, or jumping upon the ground; traversing your path in all directions; coursing over the surface of the waters, or swimming at every depth beneath; emerging from a subterranean habitation, or going into one; climbing up the trees, or descending from them; glancing from flower to flower; now alighting upon the earth and waters, and now leaving them to follow the impulse of their various instincts; sometimes travelling singly; at other times in countless swarms: these the busy children of the day, and those of the night. If you return to your apartment—there are these ubiquitaries—some flying about—others pacing against gravity up the walls or upon the ceiling—others walking with ease upon the glass of your windows, and some even venturing to take their station on your own sacred person, and asserting their right to the lord of the creation.
This universal movement and action of these restless little animals gives life to every part and portion of our globe, rendering even the most arid desert interesting. From their visitations every leaf and flower becomes animated; the very dust seems to quicken into life, and the stones, like those thrown by Deucalion and Pyrrha, to be metamorphosed into locomotive beings. In the variety of motions which they exhibit, we see, as Cuvier remarks[402], those of every other description of animals. They walk, run, and jump with the quadrupeds; they fly with the birds; they glide with the serpents; and they swim with the fish. And the provision made for these motions in the structure of their bodies is most wonderful and various. "If I was minded to expatiate," says the excellent Derham, "I might take notice of the admirable mechanism in those that creep; the curious oars in those amphibious insects that swim and walk; the incomparable provision made in the feet of such as walk or hang upon smooth surfaces; the great strength and spring in the legs of such as leap; the strong-made feet and talons of such as dig; and, to name no more, the admirable faculty of such as cannot fly, to convey themselves with speed and safety, by the help of their webs, or some other artifice, to make their bodies lighter than the air[403]."