358 AFFECTION OF INSECTS FOR THEIR YOUNG. 



aware at what period her eggs \ ill be hatched into 

 grubs, and how long- the provision she has laid up will 

 suffice for their support ! What an extent of judgement, 

 thus in the midst of various other occupations to know 

 the precise day when a repetition of her cares will be 

 required! What an accuracy of memory, to recollect 

 with such precision the entrance to her cell, which the 

 most acute eye could not discover; and without com- 

 pass or direction unerringly to fly to it, often from a 

 great distance and after the most intricate and varied 

 wanderings ! If we refer the whole to instinct, and to 

 instinct doubtless it must in the main if not wholly be 

 referred, our admiration is not lessened. Instinct, 

 when simple and directed to one object, is less astonish- 

 ing; but such a complication of instincts, applied to 

 actions so varied and dissimilar, is beyond our concep- 

 tion. We can but wonder and adore ! 



We are indebted to De Geer for the history of a 

 field-bug {Cymex griseus), a species found in this coun- 

 try, which shows marks of affection for her young such 

 as I trust will lead you, notwithstanding any repug- 

 nant association that the name may call up, to search 

 upon the birch tree, which it inhabits, for so interest- 

 ing an insect. The family of this field-bug consists of 

 thirty or forty young ones, which she conducts as a hen 

 does her chickens. She never leaves them ; and as soon 

 as she begins to move all the little ones closely follow, 

 and whenever she stops assemble in a cluster round 

 her. De Geer having had occasion to cut a branch of 

 birch peopled with one of those families, the mother 

 showed every symptom of excessive uneasiness. In 

 other circumstances such an alarm would have caused 



