238 MEANS OF DEFENCE OF INSECTS. 



to disarm them of their fury \ This insect, when in fear 

 or danger, is known to produce a sharp, shrill, mournful 

 cr}', which with the superstitious has added to the alarm 

 produced by the symbol of death which signalizes its 

 thorax ^. This cry, there is reason to believe, affects and 

 disarms the bees, so as to enable her to proceed in her 

 spoliations with impunity*^. One of these insects being 

 once brought to a learned divine, who was also an ento- 

 mologist, when he was unwell, he was so much moved by 

 its plaintive noise, that, instead of devoting it to destruc- 

 tion, he gave the animal its life and liberty. I might say 

 more upon this subject of defensive noises : but I shall re- 

 serve what I have further to communicate, to a letter 

 which I purpose devoting to the sounds produced or 

 emitted by insects. 



You are acquainted with the singular property of the 

 skunk {Viverra j^^itorius, L.), which repels its assailants 

 by the fetid vapour that it explodes ; but perhaps are not 

 aware that the Creator has endowed many insects with 

 the same property and for the same purpose — some of 

 which exhale powerful or disagreeable odours at all times, 

 and from the general surface of their body ; while they 

 issue from others only through particular organs, and 

 when they are attacked. 



Of the former description of defensive scents there are 

 numerous examples in almost every order ; for, next to 



» Vol. I. p. 164. »> Ibid. 34. 



*= Huber appears to be of this opinion; he does not, however, lay 

 great stress upon it. Yet there seems no other way of accounting 

 for the impunity with which this animal commits its depredations. 

 Huber, ii. 299- 



