474 INSTINCT OF INSECT§ = 



and incomprehensible tjiaii ihe existence of the facul- 

 ties themselves. Take a honey-comb, for instance. If 

 tiXiery comb that bees fabricate were always made ipre- 

 ckely dXC&Q — with the same general form, placed in the 

 feame position, the cells all exactly similar, or where 

 varying- with (he variations always alike ; — this struc- 

 ture would perhaps in reality be not more astonishing 

 than many of a much simpler conformation. But when 

 we know that in nine instances out often the combs in 

 a bee-hive are thus similar in their properties, and yet 

 that in the tenth one shall be found of a form altoge- 

 ther peculiar; placed in a different position; with 

 cells of a different shape — and all these variations evi- 

 dently adapted to some new circumstance not present 

 when the other nine were constructed, — we are conr 

 strained to admit that nothing- in the instinct of other 

 animals can be adduced, exhibiting- similar exquisite- 

 ness : just as we must confess an ordinary loom, how- 

 ever ingeniously contrived, far excelled by one capable 

 of repairing its defects when out of order. 



The examples of this variation and accommodation 

 to circumstances among- insects are very numerous ; and 

 as presenting- many interesting- facts in their history not 

 before related, I shall not fear wearying you with a 

 pretty copious detail of them, beginning with the more 

 simple. 



It is the instinct of Scarahcens vernalis to roll up pel- 

 lets of dung, in each of which it deposits one of its 

 eggs ; and in places where it meets with cow- or horse- 

 dung only, it is constantly under the necessity of having 

 recourse to this process. But in districts where sheep 

 are kept, it wisely saves its labour, and ingeniously 



