46 Imect Architecture. 



Our author's remarks, too, on collections of insects are, we 

 think, sound and judicious. He does not allow " the collect- 

 ing of specimens only, or, as the French expressly call them, 

 chips {ecliantillom\ to be called a study. The mere collector," 

 he says, " is not, and cannot be, justly considered as a natur- 

 alist." On the other hand, he does not condemn or despise 

 the practice as a useless or frivolous employment, only he is 

 anxious to place it on its true and proper footing. But our 

 author shall speak for himself: — 



" A collection of insects is to the true naturalist what a collection of 

 medals is to the accurate student of history. The mere collector who 

 looks only to the shining wings of the one or the green rust of the other, 

 derives little knowledge from his pursuit. But the cabinet of the entomo- 

 logist becomes rich in the most interesting subjects of contemplation, when 

 he regards it in the genuine spirit of scientific enquiry. What, for instance, 

 can be so delightful as to examine the wonderful variety of structure in 

 this portion of the creation, and, above all, to trace the beautiful grada- 

 tions by which one species runs into another. Their differences are so 

 minute, that an unpractised eye would proclaim their identity ; and yet 

 when the species are separated, and not very distantly, they become visible 

 even to the common observer. It is in examinati6ns such as these that 

 -the naturalist finds a delight of the highest order. While it is thus one 

 of the legitimate objects of his study to attend to minute differences of 

 structure, form, and colouring, he is not less interested in the investigation 

 of habits and economy ; and in this respect the insect world is inexhaust- 

 ibly rich. We find herein examples of instinct to parallel those of all the 

 larger animals, whether they are solitary or social ; and innumerable others 

 besides, altogether unlike those 'manifested in the superior departments of 

 animated nature." (p. l^.j 



^They wh^have ^aid but' little (k tia ^attention to the sub- 

 ject, are not 6hly ignoratit.of the immense number of species 

 to be found in the insect; wprld, b^t^r^ piso quite unconscious 

 of the differences sand djistinetioes observable among such as 

 they have been 'a'cCU^o'riied"t<) tfoptibihe ubd^r otie common 

 denominatioii.'' Ji'fh^jr Wiir,|ie eq^^ perhaps, to 



learn ,that,tW operatJpns'.Qf tK^pe iittje^ creatvires, in many 

 cases .bear GOnsiderajbie resdmlpla^odtor ati9jlogy> to those of 

 our own mechanicsi' 'lHus. f0i''^HlaM]f)te;-fo^kldi6fe'tii{fe^^ 

 hive bee, which is ffidr e o^^ l^s s : J^ndwii f o e ye ry tioJy , , there 

 are others, also, of the .s^mes family, "v^Kich, from- the above 

 circumstance, have bfeen denominated mason bees, mining bees, 

 carjTCTiters, upholsterers,' Carders, &c. 'The cai^ienter bee, 

 which is, 'by no means an uu^commdn' insect,' constructs its 

 nest, in decaying wood, which it industriously scoops out for 

 the purpose, and lines its cells with circular pieces of leaves, 

 cutting them from the living" pllaiit with great'^6Xfiedition and 

 the exactest nicety. . _ ' " ' '/ '' ..,*,. ?; .Jm. ' ' \. ■ ' 



" Let us compare," says our authbi*, " thieprdgress of this litfle joiner 

 with a human artisan — one who has been long practised in his trade, 



