new.

HAYMAKING.

has given rise to a scriptural metaphor, most expressive of a like change in our moral nature, one that is as true, in point of fact, as certainly accomplished by appointed means, and as beneficial in its effects, comparing the fruits of the old nature with those of the It becomes not immortal beings to admire the one mystery, and to overlook the other. It becomes not me to tell a fellow-creature the remarkable art by which his trees may become fruitful, without reminding him that he is himself a tree to be engrafted; and it becomes neither me nor him to study the fruits which we shall gather, without considering the fruits which we bear. May we, who are gardeners in the Lord's vineyard, be wise in the heavenly art, as well as in the earthly; that we may see around us the blossoms and fruit of the engrafted word, which is able to save the soul; and may we give ourselves earnestly to the work, lest the Lord of our vineyard cut down our trees, because, when he came and sought fruit thereon, he found none."

Another of the pleasing employments of the season is haymaking. When the sun is high and warm, the haymakers succeed the mowers. It is amusing sometimes to watch what "a turning out" there is of the inhabitants of a village. Old men and women join

the throng; the rustics in all the activity of maturity go forth, and numbers of the little folk follow in their wake. Now some pass off to the first field of labour, others walk on to that appointed for them, and at length all are at work. The various processes are thus passed through, till the hay is properly made, and this valuable produce of the field secured in the stack. Living creatures, of almost every kind, are now partaking their share of the joy that abounds. About

two hours after midnight, before the nightingale has concluded his song, up springs the lark, as if the night,

SUMMER INSECTS.

short as it is, were too long, although, throughout the live-long day it soars aloft, and pours forth so richly and variously its thrilling music. The cuckoo, too, rises before the sun, and makes the valleys echo with its simple, yet welcome note; and as soon as the sun rises myriads of creatures are aroused to life and enjoyment.

Butterflies, in rich attire, are fluttering over the fields, or hovering about the blossoms and flowers. The

bees are all at work, collecting honey from the nectaries, and burying themselves in the petals to obtain the liquid sweets within. It is amusing to watch them

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while thus engaged, passing rapidly from flower to flower. How quickly do they leave those they have. robbed! How eagerly do they extract the honey from such as yield a supply! Traversing, in this pursuit, the fields and gardens, and wandering far from home, they return with their honey-bag filled, and again go forth on the same errand.

There, too, is the dragon-fly, sweeping over the surface of the water, from which it has recently emerged on light, gauze-like wings. Most remarkable is its

history. It begins life as an aquatic caterpillar, which is very remarkable for the mode in which it propels itself along, without the aid of its external members. Appended to the hinder part of the body are certain leaf-like parts, and these it alternately opens and

THE GNAT.

closes, taking into a cavity at their base a portion. of water, and instantly ejecting it with considerable force. Thus, the caterpillar is propelled along, on the same principle as that by which a rocket rises in the air. Ingenious attempts have been made to apply this mode of propulsion to ships, by means of steam acting on machinery. The object was to throw out a continued volume of water at the stern of the vessel; but, as in many other cases, art has failed to imitate the simple yet effective mechanism of nature.

Myriads of gnats are dancing in clustered squadrons at this season of the year, when the coolness of the evening tempts them from their leafy retreats. These insects are also aquatic in their caterpillar state, and abound in stagnant waters. They may be easily examined in a watch-glass of pure water, by a common magnifying lens. The figure of this creature is very curious; and its movements with the head downwards are singularly quick and active. Its adaptation to its circumstances will be found complete.

How simple, yet how perfect, are all the operations of our Creator! How forcibly do they appeal to the mind in proof of his attributes! Here is a gnat-an insignificant and contemptible insect, the thoughtless world call it a proof that all things are made in