Yesterday, after we had finished our exercises, Charles asked me to take a walk in the garden, and, seeing Dr. Bartlett, we hastened to join him; for indeed we both like to hear him talk, and try to profit by his instructions, which are delivered in such a familiar manner, I forget that I am but a boy when he calls me his friend. We found him with a book in his hand. CHARLES. You are reading, Sir, we will not disturb you. DR. BARTLETT. When I have finished the passage I am reading, I shall be glad of your company. We waited silent a few moments, and then Dr. Bartlett put his book into his pocket, and we entered into conversation. CHARLES. Look, Sir, what insects are those which fly in such multitudes about the fish-pond? DR. BARTLETT. They are ants. WILLIAM. Have ants wings? DR. BARTLETT. Yes, they obtain wings for some time during this season of the year. And what appears the most wonderful, is, that they are thus winged in a very few moments. CHARLES. It is a pity that these insects are so destructive to the productions of the earth, I like them so well for their diligence. DR. BARTLETT. When they are together, they are as one family. They build themselves a city, which is divided into several streets. They have each of them separate employments; one digs a hole in the earth, another sweeps the earth away, and a third brings grass or stubble to make the hole warm and dry, that they may preserve their eggs and their young from the cold and damp. Their labour to provide themselves food is wonderful: they are so industrious they will go to a great distance for it, and returning, always keep in a direct road, seldom mistaking it, though far from their own habitation. They take great care not to run in each others way; and are so very sagacious, that when they are obliged to carry any thing very heavy, from an eminence, they let it fall with deliberation, and take it up again when they arrive at the bottom. CHARLES. But, Sir, I have often seen that they are continually moving their young and their eggs.—Why do they disturb them so frequently? DR. BARTLETT. They do this, when they find it either damp or cold; for they take uncommon care of their little ones. After rain they bring their eggs into the open air to let them dry, lest the young, which are in them, should perish; and if the rain is very heavy they remove the earth with their feet, and cover them. WILLIAM. Poor creatures!—We give them, thoughtlessly, much unnecessary trouble. CHARLES.