ting is generally a very deadly poison, though not in all
cases, owing to a difference of malignity of different animals, or some
other cause.

In the time of the children of Israel, scorpions were a plague in Egypt
and Canaan, as appears by the sacred writings. See Deuteronomy, viii.
15, and other passages.

ANTS.

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'Who can observe the faithful ant,
And not provide for future want.'

These little animals have been for ages considered as patterns of
industry: they were specially noticed by the wise king Solomon. He says,
"go to the ant, thou sluggard, consider her ways, and be wise." The ant
lays eggs in the manner of common flies; from these eggs are hatched
small maggots, or worms without legs; these, after a short time, change
into large white aureliae, or chrysales, which are usually called ant's
eggs. When a nest of these creatures is disturbed, however great their
own danger, the care they take of their offspring is remarkable: each
takes in its foreceps, a young one, often larger than itself and carries
it off.

These little insects form to themselves, with much industry and
application, of earth, sticks, leaves, &c. little hillocks, called
ant-hills, in the form of a cone: in these, they dwell, breed, and
deposite their stores: they are commonly built in woody places: the
brushy plains on Long-Island abound with them: they are from one to two
feet in height.

HONEY-BEE.

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This is an extraordinary, curious, and remarkably industrious little
insect, to which mankind are indebted for one of the most palatable and
wholesome sweets which nature affords; and which was one of the choice
articles with which the promised land was said to abound.

In every hive of bees, there are three kinds; the queen, the drones,
and the labourers: of these last, there are by far the greatest number:
and as cold weather approaches, they drive from the hives and destroy
the drones, that have not laboured in summer, and will not let them eat
in winter. If bees are examined through a glass hive, all appears at
first like confusion: but, on a more careful inspection, every animal is
found regularly employed. It is very delightful, when the maple and
other trees are in bloom, or the clover in the meadows, to be abroad and
hear their busy hum.

"Brisk as the busy bee among learning's flowers.
Employ thy youthful sunshine hours."

DRAGON FLY.

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