INSECT CAPABILITIES. 



Admitting, therefore, that insect intelligence and affections 

 may, from the above causes, be totally incapable of the least 

 cultivation or development through agency of man, this is no 

 proof of their inferiority to those of other animals. Instances, 

 however, are not wanting of insects which, in spite of the 

 above hindrances, have shown tokens of something bordering 

 on domestication. 



From the story of M. Pelisson's spider, which always de- 

 scended for the meal wherewith he was accustomed to provide 

 it, on hearing the sound of his flute, we may not infer, perhaps, 

 that spiders in general are gifted (as would appear with the 

 seal) with a soul for music. That particular spider, as well as 

 his race, had probably only a taste for flies ; but from the fact 

 related, the inference is plainly dcducible, that they are capable 

 of receiving through their senses other impressions than those 

 absolutely conducive to their support, and that they have in 

 their minds a power of connection such as mere instinctive 

 impulse neither requires nor exhibits. 



Supposing the insect, in common with all other animal minds, 

 to possess this extent of capability, we shall not laugh at Reau- 

 mur's expression of "the />////'// moth," which sipped syrup off 

 his finger, or doubt the relation of an English naturalist, who 

 tells us of the humming-bird hawks, which, when on wing at 

 their flowery repast, flew away frightened by his presence, till, 

 tamed by custom, they learned to continue unalarmed the 

 discussion of their delicate banquet. 



