1901 



ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



19 



native of India. Ineects of the species crowd together, puncture the bark of their food-plant, 

 and gradually become encrusted with a resinous matter wliich exudes from their bodies. This 

 substance comes to us in its crude state, and also under different forms as shell-lac, button lac, 

 sheet lac, etc. It is used in the composition of varnish, sealing-wax, etc. , and in the colour 

 called lac lake. 146 lbs. of lac valued at $29 was brousjht into the Province of Quebec during 

 the year mentioned, for home consumption. 



One other production of insects must be mentioned here namely nut-galls, or Aleppo galls. 

 They are caused by the punctures made by a Cynip?, Diplolepis (jalke-tAnctorkc ; and they abound 

 throughout Asia Minor. They are gathered by the inhabitants, and exported from Aleppo 

 (hence the name), and other ports of the Levant. They are used for dyeing purposes and in the 

 manu*"acture of ink. 534 lbs. of these galls were imported to Ontario in the year mentioned, 

 and 13 296 lbs. to Quebec. The whole being valued at $1,065. 



The total value of insects and insect productions admitted to Canada in the year ending 

 June 30th, 1899, was $3,773,8:S2, upon which duties amounting to 11,094,595,36 were collected. 

 These figures show the importance to the community at large of what I have called Commercial 

 Entomology. 



But there are yet higher lessons to be learned in our consideration of insects than those 

 wliich have reference to them as they affect our food supplies, health and business interests. 



"All Scripture" we have learned "is profitable for doctrine;" and in the "Book of 

 Mature," there are many " parables " which illustrate and enforce Divine truths. The student 

 of well-balanced mind cannot advance far in the study of insects without perceiving that they 

 bear ample testimony to the fact that there is a Divine Intelligence, an all- wise, all powerful and 

 beneficent being who has fitted them to their surroundings; who has numbered their parts, 

 and proportioned them with the utmost exactness ; who has made them beautiful in their season ; 



who has foreseen their requirements, and ordered all their ways, 

 and whose goodness is over all His works. Who has, m short, 

 nsade record of Himself in these, the works of His hands. 

 (1) God has adapted the insect to its environment. 

 'J'ake for example the Giant Water Bug, Belostoma grandis, 

 (Fig. 6). This creature spends a great part of its existence in the 

 water, but comes forth, in its perfect state, to seek a mate, and 

 to move to other waters. It lives by suction, preying upon figh 

 and other denizens of the pools ard streams, it is necessary that 

 it should be able to float on the surface of the water and to dive 

 beneath if ; that it should have a quick sight, great powers of 

 motion, a strong grasp, suitable breathing apparatus and mouth- 

 organs, and powerful wings to sustain its large body in its aerial 

 uxcursions. With all these it is admirably provided. 



Its body is the shape of a well-proportioned wherry. Its hind 

 legs are sweeps for propelling it through the water. The fore-legs 

 are grapnels, ending with sharp claws, to enab'e it to hold itself 

 ac'ainst a current or to cling to its prey ; whilst the middle pair of 



Fig 6. The Giant Water Bug. '^g« ^^^"^^ ^° ^^^^^^ '^' ^""^ ^^^° *^ rudders, to guide its course- 



the rudders of ships, you will remember were, in early days, 

 placed upon the sides. The eyes of the bug are large and protuberant. The cornea 

 is made up of a vast number of facets, which are hexagonal, and beautifully regular, both in size 

 and shape. The proboscis of the insect is protected by a sheath or cover. The instrument it- 

 self is brown, and polished, and comes to a sharp point. Around the edge of the insect's abdo- 

 men, under its close-fitting wings, there is a smooth channel, though all the rest of the upper 



