MEANS OF DEFENCE OF INSECTS. 22.9 



Various insects, doubtless, find the wonderful xsitu' 

 liti/^ with which they are endowed another mean of de- 

 fence ; at least of obviating the effects of an attack. 

 So that, when to all appearance they are mortally 

 wounded, they recover, and fulfil the end of their crea- 

 tion. Indeed female Lepidoptera, especially of the 

 larger kinds, will scarcely die, do what you will, till 

 they have laid their eggs. — Dr. Arnold, a most acute 

 observer, relates to Mr. MacLeay, that having pinned 

 Scolia quadrimaculata, F., a hymenopterous insect, 

 down in the same box with many others, amongst which 

 was the humming-bird hawk-moth (SphiNX stellata' 

 rum, L.), its proper food ; it freed itself from the pin 

 that transfixed it, and, neglecting all the other insects 

 in the box, attacked the Sphinx, and pulling it to 

 pieces devoured a large portion of its abdomen. 



We often wonder how the cheese-mite {Acarits Si- 

 ro, L.) is at hand to attack a cheese wherever depo- 

 sited ; but when we learn from Leeuwenhoek, that one 

 lived eleven weeks gummed on its back to the point of 

 a needle without food, our wonder will be diminished^. 

 Another species of mite {A. vegetans ^1^.) was observed 

 by DeGeerto live sometime in spirits of wine '^. This 

 last circumstance reminds me of an event which befel 

 myself, that I cannot refrain from relating to you, since 

 it was the cause of my taking up the pursuit I am re- 



* The penetrating genius of Lord Verulam discovered in a great degree 

 the cause of tiiis vitality. '* They stirre," says he, speaking of insects, 

 " a good while after their heads are off, or that they be cut in pieces; 

 which is caused also for that their vital spirits are more dilTused (honnvout 

 all their parts, and lesse corifined to organs than in perfect creature!;." 

 Hylv. Sylvar. cent. vii. §697. 



" Leeiw. Epist. H, 1694, * De Gcer, vii. I'iT- 



