I think you will like to hear of the insect notwithstanding, as I hope you have a mind too strong for bad example to guide you this insect shows its cunning in forming a conical cavity in the sands, and hiding itself, ready to seize upon any insect which may happen to fall in.

Pupil I suppose they feed upon the insect they catch-how deceitful!

Governess: Not more so than our fellowcreatures. Does not man, who is endowed with intellectual faculties, and reflecting powers, feed upon those animals he may catch?

Pupil: He certainly does; but did not God create man to have power over the beasts of the field, the fowls of the air, and every living thing? Therefore, dear Miss, I do not think it is so deceitful in man, as God wished him to kill animals for his food.

Governess: The lion-ant kills other insects to feed upon.

Little Percy: Your speaking of deceit reminds me of the story in the "Cottage Dialogues," about Jasper hiding his master's silk

pocket-handkerchief in the corner of the garden, under some dried leaves.

Governess: Ah! my dear, you see Jasper forgot the eye of God was upon him.

Little Percy: James was a good servant. I like the dialogues in which he speaks.

Pupil : Do not interrupt us, dear Percy, as we are in a part which requires great thought, and, therefore, interruption does harm.

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Governess: My dear, you cannot justly find fault with Percy's interruption, as the old saying is—“ A word spoken in season, how good is it." There is another thing which the lion-ant does when in its larva state: when the insect, which may have happened to fall into the ant's hole, tries to escape, it throws a shower of sand to overwhelm its fallen foe; when it has gained it under its power, it takes and sucks the juices of its body, and then, with a sudden spring, hurls the useless body of its prey a distance from its hole.

Pupil I have often thought whether insects could hear; if so, I think the lion-ant must hear the agonies of the poor insect it destroys.

Governess I think it is a general opinion that insects do not hear; for instance, I know a gentleman who made a noise close to a beehive with a speaking trumpet, which might have been heard a great distance off; but the bees appeared not to take the least notice of it. Pupil Of what colour is this insect?

Governess It is brown, and in shape resembling a flat-bodied spider.

Pupil: I do not think we have any of these disagreeable-looking insects in England: haye we, dear Miss-?

Governess: No; they are not to be found here. As I have told you of its faults, I must likewise tell you of its industry. When ready to change into a chrysalis, like the silkworm, it rolls itself up into a ball (but its ball is made of sand) lined with a pearl-coloured silk. Pupil I admire its ingenuity, certainly; how long does it remain in this ball?

:

Governess: About a month, when it comes forth a perfect insect. This insect will be the last I shall mention in the order Neuroptera. I shall not continue our dialogue any longer to-day, as it is nearly half-past five; and

your mamma asked me to go to the lecture this evening, which your papa is going to give at the school-room. The next time we converse we shall treat upon the order Hymenoptera.

DIALOGUE III.

Governess: Well, my dear, as you are no doubt anxious to hear of the next order, and as the weather will not admit of our taking a walk in the time I allow you for recreation, we cannot do bettter than engage in conversation during that time.

Pupil: It is, indeed, a very unpleasant morning; the wind is extremely high and easterly. The next order, I think, is Hymenoptera.

Governess: Yes, my dear; and the insects which are included in this order are very similar in make to those of the former, with this difference, being furnished with a sting: the wasp, the bee, and the hornet are included in this order.

Pupil: They were among the grasshopper's guests, as it says in the poetry:

"And the hornet with jacket of yellow and brown, Who with him the wasp his companion did bring; But they promised that ev'ning to lay by their sting."

Governess: They are similar to some mortals: a lady and gentleman, who, when at home, were always quarrelling, were noticed in company for their great kindness to each other. I am afraid there are many members of society who are very different when seen in their domestic circles-quite the opposite to the Christian. To see him in his true and best character, you must visit him in his family. A superficial glance at the Christian will not display his native worth; his friendship, too, is like gold purified seven times; the more it is tried, the more pure it is found. Besides the wasp, bee, and hornet, there are others, though perhaps not so well known, yet as worthy our notice; I mean the gall-insect and the ichneumon-fly.

Pupil: No doubt they merit observation,