others he calls unto him, in a voice milder than the evening zephyr, and sweeter than the breath of morning: he awakens their slumbering faculties, and fresheneth their souls with the beneficent dew of his grace.

Let this gracious mercy of God raise in us ardent desires to imitate his heavenly goodness; let us use all our exertions to reclaim the wicked from their evil ways, and direct the steps of those who have strayed into the true path. But let us ever remember the merciful kindness of God, and after his example endeavour to recall the mistaken deluded children of iniquity, by mild persuasion and brotherly entreaties. We see how he refreshes the parched earth by his dew, and gives new life to vegetation. Let us then think upon the number of our fellow-creatures bowed down by affliction, and languishing for want of assistance; and let not their sighs pierce our ears in vain, neither let us turn away from their complaints, nor refuse the tear of sympathy to their misery when we are unable to relieve all their necessities. Let us by our kindness diffuse the cheering rays of consolation into the hearts of those that mourn, and pour blessings upon our fellow-creatures, abundant as the morning dew.

JUNE XVII.

MODE OF LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE BEES.

In these gay and joyful days of summer, every thing in the animal kingdom is in motion, all is full of life and activity; but no creatures are so active for our advantage as the little republic of bees. Of all the insects with which we are acquainted, none are more worthy of our observation, or present us with a more agreeable and profitable spectacle.

Bees generally dwell in great numbers in hollow trees and cavities, or in a kind of basket called a hive, which men have formed to collect them together. They fly abroad, and disperse themselves over the country, and by means of their trunks or probosces extract honey and wax from the juices and stamina of flowers. This they bring to their dwelling, which they fill with hexagonal cells, in some of which they reside; others are destined to receive the eggs and hold their young, and others form the magazines where they deposit the honey which is to support them during the winter.

Amongst all these bees, which together form one large family, there is one greater than the rest, of the female sex, and on that account called the queen. To her alone all the young of one hive owe their existence; from the eggs which she has deposited in the cells little grubs are produced, which the working bees feed for some time with their trunks. These grubs remain in their cells, which are clothed with a covering of wax, for fifteen days, in a state of perfect repose; in this quiescent form they are called nymphæ. When the

proper time is arrived, they open their cells, and come forth in the shape of young bees. Besides the queen, there are two other species of bees in each hive; the labouring bee and the drone. These latter are males and impregnate the queen, as well as serve her for a guard. Bees have fixed in their heads two antennæ or horns, which defend their eyes and warn them of danger; they have fangs or claws, which they use in their labours, and a trunk or hollow tube, that they can project from, or draw into its sheath at pleasure. This instrument, flexible and moveable in every direction, forces itself to the bottom of the cup of flowers, where it collects the honey, which passes through the tube into a little bag placed within their bodies, whence the honey is afterward poured out into the cells.

Bees have six feet; with the two first and their fangs they form the wax, which was the farina of flowers, into little balls, and with their middle feet place them in a hollow which they have in their hinder feet, which are furnished with hairs that retain the wax, and prevent it falling off while they fly. Thus, laden with honey and wax, the working bees return to their hives without missing their way, though they sometimes fly the distance of several miles. When arrived at home, they meet other bees waiting to assist them to discharge their burden, and then they all unite together to employ the provisions to the best advantage for the hive in general. With the wax they close up the crevices of their dwellings, to prevent any animal intruding; and they leave only such openings as are necessary for their own convenience. The queen and working bees have at the extremity of their bodies a sting enclosed in a sheath, which they use to wound and destroy their enemies; but when the sting remains in the wound which they make, it is generally fatal to themselves.

Every thing in these little animals is wonderful, and highly deserving of our attention. The structure of their limbs, so regular, and well adapted to their mode of life; the care which they take of their young; the art with which they construct their cells; and their activity, industry, and intelligence; all excite our admiration, and bespeak the agency of a superior power. Thus, if we wish to meditate upon our Creator, contemplating a hive of bees will lead us to him, and call forth our adoration of that power, wisdom, and goodness, so eminently displayed in the production and operations of these little

creatures.

JUNE XVIII.

EXTERNAL PARTS OF PLANTS..

In order to form a just idea of the inimitable art displayed in the vegetable kingdom, we must proceed by degrees. Our faculties are too limited to take in the whole at one view, or to acquire a perfect

knowledge of it in this state of existence. We must, therefore, content ourselves with a few observations, and proceed from visible to invisible things; from simple and individual objects to those which are more complicated and general. Let us begin then with the external parts of plants, and first examine the roots. These are so constructed, that by means of the principal root, and the little fibres that proceed from it, the plants are fixed in the earth. The pores of the root enable it to imbibe the aqueous and nutritious juices which the soil contains. From the root grows the stem, to which the plant owes its strength and beauty: its structure differs according to the nature of the plant; sometimes it is the form of a tube, strengthened by different knots which are skilfully arranged; and in other plants the stem is so slender, that it requires a support round which it may twine and fasten itself by little hooks which proceed from it. In others the stem rises majestically like a pillar, and becomes the ornament of the forests, seeming to defy the winds and the tempests. The branches extend themselves like arms, and are regularly distributed; they enlarge themselves, and divide into others which are collaterally disposed in the same order with the principal branches. The buds which sprout from them are small plants, which if inserted in the earth, will take root, and in time grow up like the tree from which they were taken.

The leaves, those lovely, beautiful ornaments of plants, are regularly disposed round the stalks and branches; and among thousands we can scarcely find two that exactly resemble each other; each one differing in structure, figure, size, and beauty. Leaves are either simple or compound, hairy or fleshy, smooth or curled and indented. The blossoms of trees, which form one of nature's chiefest beauties, are not less diversified than the leaves some are simple, and have only one flower; others have several. They present every variety of shape and appearance: some of the petals are disposed carelessly round the plant; others form circles, garlands, and clusters. From the centre of the flowers rises a little pillar, and sometimes several, which are hollow within, and round or pointed at the top: these are called pistils, and they are generally surrounded by lesser pillars called stamina, which support the anthers, containing a very fine powder, which is the farina or pollen. Many of the blossoms have a texture of an indescribable delicacy, with a most exquisite fragrance, and beautiful diversity of tints.

To the blossoms succeed fruit and seeds, which repair the waste of the seasons, and afford a very agreeable source of nourishment; they enclose under one or more skins or coats the germs of future plants. The external form of seeds and fruits varies as much as that of leaves and flowers.

All these parts of plants have their peculiar use and design; if the least of them be taken away, the plant loses a part of its perfection; either its beauty, growth, or increase, will suffer. Thus, all these several parts are essentially necessary for the completion of the whole. If a tree is stripped of its leaves, it will soon become dry, decay, and

wither. The same thing will happen with all other plants; they possess nothing superfluous, nothing that is not useful, or that does not tend to the perfection of the whole.

When we view this beautiful connexion, harmony, and arrangement, throughout the vegetable kingdom, and see that the whole is regulated by general laws, though differently applied, must we not immediately and without hesitation acknowledge, that the Author of all these beauties is a being of a superior nature, enjoying a supreme power and wisdom? This will be the necessary conclusion of every one capable of thinking, and justly weighing causes and effects. Let us then raise our souls towards our heavenly Creator, who is every where visible in his works, and whose wisdom shines in the smallest blade of grass. He who accustoms himself to reflections of this nature will be more sensible of the pleasures of summer, and feel more life and joy from the beauteous objects it presents to his view. The more we contemplate the works of nature, the more shall we admire the wisdom of God; and the more we reverence his wisdom, the greater will be the pleasure we shall derive from the contemplation of natural objects.

JUNE XIX.

HYMN OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE WORKS OF NATURE.

To thee, O Lord, from whom all blessings proceed, and who dispensest them with a liberal hand, to thee belong glory, honour, and thanksgiving. Thou hearest the cries of the young raven, and delightest in the song of the lark; be pleased to hearken also unto my voice, and receive the praises of a grateful heart. The least of thy creatures proclaims thy wisdom, and the traces of thy goodness and power beheld, from one end of the year to the other, are continually renewing.

With the tenderness of a father thou providest for the wants of all thy creatures, and givest them their proper food. The returning sun, as he daily illumes the eastern horizon, witnesses the endless succession of thy benefits, showered down in profusion upon all created nature. O God, who is like unto thee!

Teach me, O Lord, how to praise thee with acceptance, and incline my heart to love thee, that henceforth I may only live for Him who loadeth me with blessings.

It is in thy name, and in the hope of thy blessing, that the husbandman commits his grain to the furrow. It is thou who formest the seed, and enduest it with fertility. The earth, which once was cursed by the sins of mankind, blessed again by its Creator, now brings forth an abundance of fruits.

Thou causest the fertilizing rains to descend upon the furrows of the field thou clothest the meadows, the valleys, and the plains,

with flowers, herbs, and groves: and thou directest the cool and refreshing dew to revive our gardens and fields, and to shed upon them fertility and abundance.

The dry and parched land thou waterest with beneficent rains; the wet and cold places thou warmest with the cheering rays of the sun : thou orderest the seasons and the weather with wisdom, and disposest them in the manner most beneficial to mankind; and amidst every vicissitude of heat and cold, of rains and drought, we still see grow, flourish, and ripen, the food which thy goodness has destined for us. Thou coverest our fields with rich harvests, and the wings of the wind make the yellow ears undulate; thou beautifiest the summit of the dry rock with the clustering grape; thou biddest the clover spring up in our pastures, and at thy desire the fountains and the rivulets refresh the thirsty animals.

Thou causest the tree to take root, and makest it flourish; a vivifying sap circulates through the trunk and branches, and gives them strength to push forth leaves and blossoms; and the fruit, which bends down the branches, shows how much thou delightest in doing good.

Let us then ascribe all glory and praise to our Creator and Benefactor; let us bless and celebrate his name in songs of joy, and attune his mercy in hymns of gratitude: for great is the eternal God, holy and wonderful are all his works; he is all pure and good, and the righteous for ever shall sing his praises.

JUNE XX.

CATERPILLARS.

Caterpillars form a very beautiful part of the creation; though from generally living upon our trees, they are disliked by the cultivators of gardens, and are seldom considered as objects of attention; many people indeed only notice them for their destruction. But if we investigate their nature, and observe them minutely, perhaps we shall find cause to admire them; and our curiosity being awakened by their appearance, we may be less disposed to trample under our feet an insect whose structure is so wonderful, and which will lead the properly reflecting mind to consider the Creator of all living things.

The species of this insect already known are more than three hundred, and new ones are daily discovered, all differing in colour, form, propensities, and modes of life; but they have in common the annular structure, or the being composed of several rings, which, elongating and contracting, facilitate the moving of the body from one part to another. They have two kinds of feet, each of which has its particular use. The six fore feet form a sort of hooks, with which they cling to, or lay hold of, objects; the termination of the hinder feet is broad, and armed with small pointed nails. With the hooks