AFFECTION FOR THE YOUNG. 515 



genus. Several such instances have been observed; Rossi*, for 

 instance, detected a connexion between Canlharis melanura and Elater 

 niger,the former the male, the latter the female; Miiller, of Odenbach, 

 observed a connexion between Chrys mela graminis and Ckry. polila, 

 and of Atlelabus coryli and Donacia simplex, in both instances the 

 first was the female ; and Heyer, of Liineberg, saw a female Cantharis 

 ruj'a actually connected at the same time with two males. Treviranusf 

 mentions other cases of such commixture, namely, one between a male 

 MeMontha agricola and a female Ceionia hirta ; and two others, 

 observed by O. F. Miiller, in which Chrysomela JEnea was connected 

 with Gallcruca a hit, and PapiUo Turtina with Papilio Janira. It is 

 uncertain whether such mixtures have been productive, but, from the 

 analogy of the superior animals, we might say no ; should, hoAvever, 

 the copulation of closely allied species actually produce young, these 

 would not be able to unite productively, as is proved by the 

 general rule of analogous instances in the superior animals, yet this, 

 even, is not without exception. Hence Gravenhorst's opinion, that 

 from such bastard copulations of allied species many intermediate forms 

 originate, must be totally rejected, exclusively of the view that in case 

 of such a course in nature, its beautiful regularity and order would 

 speedily terminate in illimitable confusion, of which, however, there is 

 not the least proof. 



II. AFFECTION FOR THE YOUNG. 



293. 



The chief business of the male terminates in copulation ; but it is 

 this which first excites in the female the impulse that stimulates her to 

 the completion of her most important occupation. This impulse hence- 

 forth exhibits itself to us in her affection for her progeny, it is the 

 cause of her activity after copulation, and in aid of which her most 

 distinguishing and remarkable instincts are developed. We will now 

 survey these in detail in the several orders. 



In the beetles this instinct presents itself almost solely in the 

 suitable depositing of their eggs. Just as the birds of prey are not 

 distinguished by any artificial preparation of their nests, so we may 

 maintain of the predaceous beetles, that they, as those birds place their 

 nests on elevated inaccessible situations, deposit their eggs in concealed 



* Germar's Magazin, vol. iv. p. 404. t Vermischte Schriften, vol. i. p. 22. 



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