*s / 



THE NATURALIST. 



VOL. III., No. XX.— MAY, 1838. 



ON THE PHYSICAL POWER OF INSECTS AS LABOURERS, AND 

 ON THEIR ARCHITECTURE.* 



By R. Adie. 



My object in bringing before the Society these pages, is chiefly to direct its 

 attention to a branch of Natural Science that has always to me proved replete 

 with objects for contemplation, where there still reign in an extensive field 

 many conflicting opinions to be set at rest, and where the environs of the most 

 crowded spots present us with a good supply of materials to work with. I allude 

 to the labours of the insect race. 



In conversing, some years ago, with an accomplished entomologist, well known 

 as an author on that branch of Natural History, he assured me that at that time 

 we were almost wholly ignorant of the functions required from many of the 

 organs in the insect economy. He viewed them as fanciful forms ; but, looking 

 to the beautiful adaptation of the means to meet the end required, every where 

 seen in the science of Comparative Anatomy, and thus reasoning from the analogy 

 of the higher animals, I think it cannot be doubted, that a more intimate know- 

 ledge of insect organization will prove that all their parts have important duties 

 to perform in the economy of the creature on which they are bestowed. 



The variety and ingenuity displayed by so many of the different species of 

 insects in their labours, have given rise to the appellation of Insect Architecture, 

 as employed to designate this portion of their economy ; and though it may seem 

 inconsistent to term an insect's boring holes or. galleries through earth or wood 

 architecture, yet, if we look on the other hand, such a title, we must allow, is 

 often well merited, as, for instance, in the geometrical precision of the works of 

 the Hive Bee, the durable paper made by the Wasp, the trap constructed by the 

 wary Ant-lion, or the beautiful life-boat formed by the Common Gnat for the 

 preservation of its species ; the latter showing a knowledge of naval architecture 

 that men for their safety have for many ages stood in need of, but who have only 

 recently enjoyed its benefit. 



* Read before the March Meeting of the Liverpool Natural History Society. 

 VOL, III. — NO. XX. 2 t 



