the case of the insect represented in the cut, each joint is furnished with two feathers on each side, and these feathers are again furnished with feathers growing out on each side of its main rib. They are what is called in the books, bi-pectinated or doubly-feathered. Surely organs so complicated in their structure and placed on each side of the head, over which the will of the insect has such entire control, can not be mere appendages to add to its beauty, or to give perfection to its outline. We can not fully understand their uses, but yet we are sure they are not made in vain, and that they are designed for some important economical purpose in the life of insects. Even here God's ways are "past finding out," and here we see the "hiding of His power.”

or horns of the male silk-worm moths are larger than those of the female. The illustration represents a male moth. When insects are in motion they move their antennæ, sometimes slowly and regularly, and at other times in all directions. It is very evident that these organs play an important part in the life of insects. They are sometimes called feelers, because experience shows that the sense of feeling is located there much as it is in the tip of the human finger. As an organ of hearing, however, it is chiefly used. And if we consider every joint in the antennae as designed to collect the vibrations which sound produces, they may be regarded as compound organs of hearing, as the eyes of the insect are compound organs of sight. By skillful dissection, a membrane, something like the tympanum or drum of the ear, has been found at the base of each horn of the butterfly or moth. By this the effect of the vibra tions on the joints of the antennæ is communicated to the insect. The honeybee uses this organ as a means of communicating intelligence—as a talking or

gan.

Most butterflies and moths are provided with a long proboscis or trunk, by which they reach the bottom of the cup of flowers and draw thence the honey on which they feed. But some moths are without any such visible means of procuring food; and, so far as man knows, do not eat at all, except in their caterpillar state. The large moths, to which the one in the picture belongs, are destitute of such a trunk, and are incapable of taking nourishment in their perfect state. So it is with the Cecropia moth, the largest moth in this country. It lives many days after it escapes from its cocoon, but takes no nourishment. I can not help directing your attention to this wonderful fact, because it demonstrates that it is possible for life to be sustained without the use of food. We know that the insect, that was once a ravenous eater in the days of its wormhood, ceases to eat during the six or nine months in which it reposes in the quiet sleep of its chrysalis state; and, in the case of the family of moths referred to, it does not need food for its continued existence in its winged state. Why then should it be to us a matter of surprise, if, in the exalted state in

When a queen dies, those near her person and who first know the fact, go to other parts of the hive, and by crossing the antennæ of other bees with their own, they circulate the sad news until the whole community are made to know their loss, and immediate measures are taken to secure another queen. The structure of the antennæ is exceedingly wonderful. They are made up of a series of small joints, and in some insects are very numerous. A short time ago I counted twenty joints in a fragment of a moth's antenna, only one-sixteenth of an inch long, so that each joint measured 16th part of an inch. The mechanical skill displayed in this structure appears greater when we consider that each joint is what is called a ball-and-socket joint, thus giv ing to the insect power to move its antennæ in any desired direction. In

eliever expects to spend his should be kept in being - aid of food. If the lifesects is so great, surely the -ower of the Christian will à in his new and heavenly g eternally.

ver has furnished us with a ictorial illustration of the

European moths, known as ock Moth," from the eyes it wings, and which scientific Saturnia pavonia-major." Now y readers are Latin scholars now the meaning of this scine; but for the benefit of ill explain it. Saturnia, the ne, is one of the names of wife of Jupiter, the supreme Greeks and Romans. Juno ughter of Saturn, and hence nia. This insect was honored generic name, doubtless, on its beauty, and because this oths contains the largest and cous in the world. Pavoniaspecific name, means the

But the beauty of this moth is not confined to its perfect state. Its caterpillar is large and of a beautiful green color, splendidly marked with bluishgreen knobs, each of which has seven stiff divergent hairs, one of the seven being long and wavy, with a small bulb at the end. These hairs are sometimes called the clothing of the caterpillar, and so necessary are they to the welfare of insects that some caterpillars die when they are cut off. What particular use they are to the caterpillar is not known. They may be to it a means of defense. The hairs of the larva of the Saturnia Io, an American species of this insect, sting like the spines of the thistle, so that they can not be handled with impunity. And it may be that birds, the caterpillar's greatest foe, may by this provision of an All-wise Creator, be prevented from destroying them.

turbed, in the great workshop of nature, it may be reconstructed and fitted with organs suited to the new life of activity which awaits it. Here it spins a brown cocoon of coarse silk of great strength, and within this silken coffin it lays itself down to rest. And if we could only witness the wonderful activities of nature in this secluded chamber, how great would be our admiration and astonishment to see how the dark chrysalis is formed for the better protection of the worm, and how within this inner chamber agencies are at work remodeling the organs-putting on each side of the head those wonderful eyes, compounded each of more than seventeen thousand distinct lenses-shaping the legs into the long and graceful legs of the perfect insect-drawing out the membrane into the large and magnificent wingsforming the colored scales and placing them with true mechanical skill in their respective positions on the wings and the body-and fitting up with joints and feathers its horn-like head-dress! And when the warm sunny days of spring inspire with fresh life the sleeping energies of the animal and vegetable world, the worm, no longer a caterpillar shunned and hated, but adorned with new beauties, and fully equipped with its new and untried organs, breaks through its double wrappings and unfolds its gorgeous wings in the calm hour of evening twilight, and goes forth to complete its higher life-work. It is now known as the favorite bird of Juno, and it would not disgrace her throne, nor her royal chariot, if employed in her queenly service.

You see in the caterpillar, as represented in the cut, twelve divisions, and in eight of these divisions small holes just below the middle row of star-like spines. These are the breathing-holes of the worm, of which it has sixteen. The first three segments are provided with two legs each, making the six legs which are afterwards transformed into the legs of the moth. Its ten other legs belong to its caterpillar state, and are used to support its long, fleshy body. Each of these legs terminates in a padded foot, having hooks on its outer and inner edge, by which it clings more firmly to the branch on which it crawls. These disappear in its second or pupa state. This caterpillar lives principally on the elm, but will eat also the leaves of the pear, plum, and other trees.

When it has fulfilled its life-work as a caterpillar, it deliberately and thought. fully prepares for the great change through which it must pass before it bathes its beautiful wings in the evening