268 NATURALISTS OF THE MOON. 



eyes, which may be interpreted as "knowing a thing or two," as Elbbar 

 liath it, or something more doubtful in its character. I have known a 

 few rather singular exceptions to tliis rule. How instructive, how de- 

 lightful ! to contemplate the different grades of created existence. That 

 mysterious chain that binds fast all, from senseless rocks to these crea- 

 tures, from them to our noblest excellencies, to the great Evoba, is an 

 luiseen Force to most, to us a visible Union and Safety! Would you 

 believe it, my dear friend, these creatures actually appear to be promo- 

 ting knowledge in their own limited way, by such means as we are ac- 

 customed to use. I observed in one of the numerous cells into which 

 their whole habitation is divided, a number of inferior creatures in a 

 state of preservation ; and these they would occasionally examine, and 

 add to, with evident satisfaction. Growing out beneath the head, is a 

 pair of feelers, with which they touch and move objects, using them 

 also apparently, as a means of testifying recognition, for 1 observed that 

 when a stranger entered the cell, extending one, sometimes both of 

 his, he would slightly agitate the corresponding one of those he met. 



At one time, all having collected into one large cell, a dignified, fat- 

 looking fellow strutted up to a little rostrum upon which he mounted. 

 He then began to utter those peculiar sounds, which 1 conclude to be 

 language to them, meanwhile moving his feelers about in every direc- 

 tion, and pointing to some of the specimens which lay before him. — 

 May we not suppose, that tliis was one that had acquired more know- 

 ledge than the rest, and was now imparting it to them ? He is quite an 

 interesting looking animal, and would make a line specimen for our 

 great Cabinet. One da}^ as I was contemplating the large Emoh in which 

 they live, my attention was attracted by hearing a singular noise inside. 

 Presently the whole colony issued forth in a long line, and thus pro- 

 ceeded until they came to another, containing but a few cells, one of 

 which was very large. Here a few which had led the procession, were 

 placed above the rest, on a platform, where in succession each stood up 

 and was made to undergo a curious process. Between each of these 

 novel scenes, a little company, at the other end of the cell, elevated 

 somewhat above the rest, appeared to take most active part in the exer- 

 cises. Some blew into little liollow sticks which they held across their 

 faces; others had little boxes with strings stretched along them, Iving 

 upon one feeler, M'hilst with the other they drew a slender stick across 

 the strings, with very eccentric movements, which their heads and other 

 limbs vainly attempted to follow. One very assiduous animal of an- 

 otlicr species, a number of which were present, was seated before a long 

 box, and did its part by incessantly tapping upon a row of white and 



