TOUCHES OF NATURE 45 
familiar with geese or hens, or with donkeys, he 
would not have asked that question. The ancients 
had an axiom that he who knew one truth knew all 
truths; so much else becomes knowable when one 
vital fact is thoroughly known. You have a key, 
a standard, and cannot be deceived. Chemistry, 
geology, astronomy, natural history, all admit one 
to the same measureless interiors. 
I heard a great man say that he could see how 
much of the theology of the day would fall before 
the standard of him who had got even the insects. 
And let any one set about studying these creatures 
carefully, and he will see the force of the remark, 
We learn the tremendous doctrine of metamorphosis 
from the insect world; and have not the bee and 
the ant taught man wisdom from the first? I was 
highly edified the past summer by observing the 
ways and doings of a colony of black hornets that 
established themselves under one of the projecting 
gables of my house. This hornet has the reputation 
of being a very ugly customer, but I found it no 
trouble to live on the most friendly terms with 
them. They were as little disposed to quarrel as I 
was. It is indeed the eagle among hornets, and 
very noble and dignified in its bearing. They used 
to come freely into the house and prey upon the 
flies. You would hear that deep, mellow hum, and 
see the black falcon poising on wing, or striking 
here and there at the flies, that scattered on his 
approach like chickens before a hawk. When he 
had caught one, he would alight upon some object 
