A MODEL OF PASSIVE ENDURANCE. 185 



merciless slaughterers are heaping up carcasses around. One 

 of their devourers, indeed, the Grub or Larva before men- 

 tioned of the lace-winged Fly, seems to play the part of a 

 wolf in sheep's clothing, dressing itself up in the skins of the 

 slain ; but as the composure of the Aphis flock appears equally 

 undisturbed where no such disguise is put on, it would be 

 unfair to suppose they are deceived into philosophy. But 

 perhaps, say you, they are not aware of the presence of their 

 enemies. Possibly not, but yet they seem to have the same 

 organs of perception as other victimized insects, which, under 

 the same circumstances, generally testify alarm, and make 

 vigorous efforts to escape. 



The Aphis has another singular habit, springing apparently 

 out of the same sort of perception that it is right to die quietly, 

 like a great-minded little Insect : just as Csesar, who to fall 

 like a great monarch of men, covered his face with his mantle, 

 or as the lion, which, to die like a great monarch of beasts, 

 retires into some thicket or den obscure We have spoken 

 already of the Ichneumon, the little Fly which deposits a 

 single egg in a single Aphis : " hereupon (to use the words of 

 Kirby) the body of the victim swells and becomes smooth, 

 though still full of life. Those, thus pricked, separate from 

 their companions, and take their station on the under side of 

 the leaf. After some days, the Grub, hatched from the en- 

 closed egg, pierces the body of the Aphis, and attaches the 

 margin of the orifice to the leaf by silken threads. Upon this, 



M 2 



