352 ILLUSTRATIVE NOTES. 
I have been greatly indebted to the exceeding courtesy of M. Ferdinand Denis, 
whose knowledge of those countries is so perfect. 
Paris possesses several fine collections of insects, besides that of the 
Museum. One of the best-known is Doctor Bois Duval’s (lepidoptera). An 
establishment exclusively devoted to the sale of insects may be found at No. 17 
Rue des Saints-Péres. The magnificent collection to which I refer on page 
176, is that of M. Doué, who most readily showed it to us, and explained it 
with infinite complaisance. 
The anecdote which concludes chapter xu. (The Ornament of Living Flames) 
is related, in reference to the women of Santa Cruz in Bolivia, by the always 
accurate Dr. Weddell. The Indian phrase, ‘‘ Replace it whence thou borrowedst 
it,” is recorded by Waterton. 
NOTE 10.—Book ii., Chap. viii. 
Renovation of Human Arts by Study of the Insect.—Who has not seen that 
for a long time the art of decoration has made no progress, does but incessantly 
repeat itself? When a particular subject has lasted ten years, men think to 
rejuvenate it with a few variations. In a life of half a century I have several 
times seen this rotation of fashion, which would appear singularly monotonous 
if we did not possess in so high a degree the gift of forgetfulness. 
The decorative art, instead of seeking its renovation in the things of old, 
would profit greatly by drawing its inspiration from the infinity of beauties 
distributed throughout Nature. They abound and superabound :— 
Ist, In the highly accented forms of tropical plants. Ours only produce 
their effect in masses, and on a grand scale. 
2nd, In those of a great number of the lower animals, radiata, and others ; 
in many of the little floating molluscs, living and imperceptible flowers, the 
design of which, when enlarged, might suggest some very original ideas. 
3rd, In certain parts of the most despised creatures ; as, for example, in 
the eyes of the fly. 
