14 INSECT ARCHITECTUKE. 



adapted for its peculiar functions, — we cannot but be struck 

 with wonder and admiration, and allow, with Paley, that 

 " the production of beauty was as much in the Creator's 

 mind in painting a butterfly as in giving symmetry to the 

 human form." 



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 

 naturalist becomes rich in the most interesting subjects of 

 contemplation, when he regards it in the genuine spirit of 

 scientific inquiry. 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 beauti- 

 ful gradations 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 distantl}", they become visible 

 even to the common observer. It is in examinations 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 inexhaustibly rich. We find herein examples of 

 instinct to parallel those of all the larger animals, whether 

 the}^ are solitary or social ; and innumerable others besides, 

 altogether unlike those manifested in the superior depart- 

 ments of animated nature. These instincts have various 

 directions, and are developed in a more or less striking 

 manner to our senses, according to the force of the motive 

 by which they are governed. Some of their instincts have for 

 their object the preservation of insects from external attack ; 

 some have reference to procuring food, and involve man}- 

 remarkable stratagems ; some direct their social economy, 

 and regulate the condition under which they live together 

 either in monarchies or republics, their colonizations, and 

 their migrations; but the most powerful instinct which 



