92 



THE UNIVERSE. 



power and majesty ; you, in your splendid fetes, often dis- 

 play only your weakness and misery ! " 



Anatomically and physiologically speaking, the human 

 mechanism seems rude and coarse when we compare it with 



the exquisite delicacy revealed in the 

 organism of certain animals. But in 

 us the intellect, the real sceptre of 

 the universe, predominates over the 

 apparent imperfection of the material 

 part. Through it man alone ap- 

 proaches those chosen creatures who 

 shine near the throne of the Eternal, 

 and form a bond of union between 

 42. Mosquito, highly magnified: heaven and earth; if in his structure 



Culexi (Linn.)- , , -, -. -. 



he belong to our sphere, he seems 

 already to elevate himself towards the supreme Essence by 



1 There are many species of gnats, distinguished by the generic name Culex, 

 but all having a similar conformation and similar habits. The species found in 

 foreign countries are generally known as mosquitoes ; but mosquitoes and gnats 



are the same thing. 



The weapon with which the gnat makes 

 its attack is a long and slender proboscis, 

 which projects from the mouth like a 

 very fine bristle, appearing to the naked 

 eye quite simple. Under the magnify- 

 ing power of the microscope, however, it 

 'T is seen to be a flexible sheath (/) inclos- 

 ing six distinct pieces, two of which are 

 JO cd j 9 cutting blades or lancets (</), two notched 

 like a saw with reverted teeth (/), a 

 tubular canal (e), and the central one an 

 excessively acute point, which is also tubular (d). When the attack is made, 

 the gnat brings the tip of the organ within its sheath to press upon the skin, into 



43. Organs of the Mouth of the Gnat. 



