sate only to the tears of bitterness, or its vital stream be consumed by the ardency of an impure flame.'

MAY XI.

INDEFATIGABLE LABOURS OF THE BEE.

The season of spring affords us an excellent opportunity to observe the labours and industry of the bees; and the sight of a hive is certainly most beautiful. A wonderful degree of interest is excited in the contemplation of a laboratory where thousands of workmen are differently employed. Our astonishment increases as we behold the regularity of their labours, and the abundance with which these magazines are furnished for the support of their numerous inhabitants during the winter. And still more admirable is the indefatigable assiduity and unceasing labours of this little republic. Bees give an example of diligence and activity which is not only uncommon, but has perhaps never been equalled.

As soon as the last traces of winter have disappeared, they begin to come forth; sometimes so early that there is reason to fear the cold is yet sufficiently strong to injure their delicate limbs. Even before the juices of flowers which begin to open are sufficiently acted upon by the heat of the sun to furnish a large supply of honey, the bees collect a little for their subsistence. But as the spring advances, and in the summer, their cares and activity are redoubled: in these seasons they are never idle; they work incessantly, and neglect not the smallest profits that will increase their stores. They are so indefatigable in the construction of their cells, that we are informed a comb with double cells and sufficiently large to contain three thousand bees, is finished in twenty-four hours.

The work is jointly undertaken by all the members of the republic; whilst some collect the wax, and prepare and fill the magazines with it, others are busied in different labours. Some build cells with the wax; others knead and perfect it; some gather honey from the flowers, which they deposit in the hive for present nourishment and future support; others close the entrance of the cells with a covering of wax, in which they have preserved their winter's store of honey. Some distribute nourishment to the young ones, and close with wax the habitations of the small grubs that are near the time of their metamorphosis, to the end that they may work more securely. Some fill up with a glutinous matter all the holes and clefts of the hives, and plaster over the weak parts, that neither wind nor insects may gain admission. Some drag the dead out of the hive for fear of infection; and if the bodies are too heavy, they plaster them over with a glutinous substance, or with wax; and so cement it, that no efflu via can exhale through the coating.

It is not enough for us to admire the activity of these little crea

tures; we should make them our model, and endeavour to imitate the example of their industry. We have many more incitements to action than they have; we possess an immortal soul. This should render our diligence constant, and our applications incessant, that we may avoid the way to ruin, and preserve the sure path to happiness: and nothing more effectually incites to this, than the reflection that the fruit of our labours lasteth for ever. The bee gathers its sweets not for itself only, but for its masters; while our labours in the vineyard of wisdom and of truth secure to ourselves the fruits of eternal life.

May we never be slow to do good, nor remiss in performing the duties of our vocation with all the zeal and fidelity of which we are capable. Let us execute without delay the task imposed upon us, and work while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work. May we each show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope, unto the end that we be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promise; for the winter of age and the tribulation of sickness approach, and the hour of death hasteneth.' Look to the bees for instruction; consider their labours, and contemplate their works: admire their activity and unceasing industry. Always busy, always indefatigable, they rise with the morning, prolong their toils to the evening hour, and support without shrinking the troubles of their short life. And shall man repose in idleness, and lie on the lap of indolence? shall he, endowed with the immortal gift of reason, consume his days in frivolity, and waste his nights in foolish sports or hurtful pleasures? The period of our lives is short; may we devote it to labour for the glory of God, the welfare of our souls, and the benefit of our fellow-creatures!

MAY XII.

NOURISHMENT OF ANIMALS.

Through all the gradations and varieties of animals, from the ponderous elephant to the almost imperceptible mite, no terrestrial creature can live without food and nourishment. From the eagle that in her bold flight braves the meridian sun, to the minutest fly; from the whale to the smallest worm, nothing living can exist without sustenance. And in forming these creatures with the necessity of having food, God has provided at the same time such an abundance and diversity of aliment, that each creature may receive that nourishment which is most proper for its subsistence. As many different species of animals as there are, so many different kinds of food are destined for their nutriment; so that every creature upon the earth finds food adapted to its nature.

In this view we may divide animals into three principal classes. The first comprising all those which are nourished by the flesh of

others some of these, as the lion, prefer quadrupeds; others, as the pole-cat, fowls; others fish, as the beaver; and others insects, as different species of birds. The second class will comprehend those animals which derive their nutriment from the vegetable kingdom. Almost every species of vegetables is the food of some particular animal. Some prefer grass, others the fruit of trees: and among those which live upon the same plant, there is a great difference of choice; some preferring the root, others the leaves, the stalk, the seed, the fruit, and some are fond of the whole plant. The third general class includes the greater number of insects, the particular nature of whose aliment it is difficult to determine.

We may now see the propriety of these words of the Psalmist : 6 All creatures look unto Thee, and Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thy hand, and satisfiest all things with that which they desire.' These cares of Divine Providence evince that eternal goodness which is diffused throughout the universe. If we reflect upon the prodigious number of animals which exist; the many thousand species of insects and birds; the millions of terrestrial animals in every part of the globe, that have their abode in the forests, in the fields, on the mountains, and in the valleys, in the caverns, and in the holes of the rocks, in trees, and in the earth; the innumerable shoals of fish that inhabit the ocean, the seas, the rivers, and the brooks; the infinite variety of insects, in the air, in plants, and on animals: each of which daily finds an ample support, and an abundance of food; we shall be lost in admiration at the wisdom of the munificent Creator, who nourishes them all, and gives to them severally the aliment most adapted to their nature. From this wonderful diversity in the food of animals, nothing that nature produces is useless, but tends to the support of some one of her numerous progeny. From all this we may draw a most happy conclusion; that if God thus provides for creatures destitute of reason, he will not do less for man, whom he has favoured with the blessed gift of reason, and to whom these animals are subservient.

MAY XIII.

SENSES OF ANIMALS.

In every animal the organs of sense are arranged in a manner most conformable to their nature and destination. By means of the senses they take cognizance of objects, whether near or at a distance; and through them they are enabled to provide for their wants, and to shun the dangers with which they are threatened. That sense by which animals are able to form an idea of material objects by touching them is called feeling, which is chiefly resident in the extremities of numerous nerves covered by the skin.

The organs of taste are the tongue and the palate; the savoury

impressions are made upon the nervous papillæ, which are the immediate instruments both of taste and feeling, between which two senses there is considerable analogy.

The organ of smell is the delicate membrane which lines the inside of the nose; and by means of the ramifications of the nerves upon the membrane, the odoriferous vapours that float in the air are received; and those animals which require a more delicate and subtle smell have their olfactory organs more perfect. Worms seem to be destitute of this sense, as are in all probability fish and insects; though the antennæ of the latter may serve them instead. By means of smell, animals are enabled to hunt out their food, to select that which is most suitable for them, and, by being apprized of the approach of their enemies, to preserve themselves from danger.

By hearing, animals become susceptible of the vibrations of air; but the structure of the ear is not alike in all; some, as the lizard, have two tympanums; others are destitute of several parts common to the rest. Birds and fish have not that part called the meatus auditorius, and worms and insects are completely deaf.

The eyes are the organs of seeing. Quadrupeds, fowls, fish, and amphibious animals, have two eyes, one on each side of the head. Insects are generally furnished with more than two. The spider and the scorpion have eight; and many possess them by thousands, commonly collected in two orbits. In a fly sixteen thousand eyes have been enumerated; in a beetle, six thousand three hundred and sixtytwo; and in a butterfly, thirty-four thousand six hundred and fifty. Fish have no aqueous humour; but the crystalline lens is nearly globular.

All the organs of sense are disposed in a manner not only most suitable to the structure of the body of the animal, but also to answer its different necessities. To be convinced of this, a few observations will suffice. As the eyes of many insects are immoveable, and consequently in many cases would be useless, nature has given them antennæ, by means of which they are informed of what would be injurious to them, or what might otherwise have escaped their sight. The eyes of fish are disposed with equal wisdom. An eye that projected far out of the head would be very inconvenient to them, and we find their cornea is nearly flat; to remedy the defects of this, the crystalline humour is globular, which in most other animals is lenticular, and much more flat. Though eyes are generally spherical, there is great diversity in their figure; and their situation in the head is various, according to the different destination and necessities of the animal. In man, who sees little but what is straight before him, the eyes are situated in the fore part of the head, but so arranged that they can receive impressions from the whole semicircle of objects before him. In birds, the eye is so placed, that it can take in at one view nearly the whole circle of objects around it, by which means they can provide their food more easily, and are less liable to be surprised by enemies.

The ear of man has that form which best suits his erect posture

in birds it is particularly adapted to occasion no impediment to their flight, and for this purpose it does not project, but is close, to allow of their rapid passage through the air. Thus, though we know but a small part of the wonderful mechanism of animals, we see enough to convince us of the wisdom displayed in their organization, and in the arrangement of their organs of sense. And the more information we gain, and the more discoveries we make upon this interesting subject, the more cause we find to admire the wonders of nature, and to adore the goodness of God. Let us not then treat any animal, however insignificant, with contempt or indifference; they all bear the stamp of divine impression, and like ourselves, have one common Parent, who is God over all.

MAY XIV.

ORDER OBSERVED IN THE SUCCESSION OF FLOWERS.

Every plant springs up in the earth in the order which is prescrib ed to it. There is a time appointed for one to unfold its leaves, for another to flower, and a third to fade and die. The snow-drop showed its delicate flower above the ground several weeks since, long before the trees ventured to unfold their leaves, even whilst ice and snow still covered the earth. The crocus next appeared, timidly shrinking from the impetuous winds; at the same time were seen the sweet violet and the auricula. These were the joyful harbingers of the numerous flowers that now refresh us.

At this period also a succession of flowers is observed, and every month exhibits new ornaments peculiar to itself. The tulip begins to develop its rich leaves and flowers; and speedily the beautiful anemone will form its full round cup, the ranunculus expand all the magnificence of its leaves, and the opening rose spread its beauties to the morning sun, and fill the air with its perfuming fragrance; nor will the elegant pink, with its graceful charms, be wanting in the beauteous assemblage.

By the wise arrangement displayed in the regular succession of flowers we derive the greatest advantages; for if they all flourished at the same time we should either have them in excessive abundance, or we should experience a total privation. But now, that each speties has its determinate time and season, we can contemplate them at our leisure, and enjoy them with greater convenience; we can dwell longer upon their beauties, and examine each singly without the confusion of numbers. And by the constant succession of flowers we do not suffer from the shortness of their continuance; for the pain of seeing one die is solaced by the budding of another, and our gardens during a great part of the year present, as well as attract, the face of youth and beauty. The field of nature is open to all, and he who prefers the sting of thorns may gratify his inclination as