210 Analyses of Books. ' [IVTARcri^ 



residuum of a bright golden yellow colour, which weighed 0*25 

 grain; this residuum was brittle, and had the general pro- 

 perties of solid albumen. The foregoing characters render it 

 highly probable that the yellow fluid distributed through the 

 body of the insect, resembles in its nature the serum of common 

 blood, and there can be no doubt, arguing physiologically, that 

 this yellow fluid is the blood or nutrient juice of the animal. I 

 wish I could as satisfactorily show the means employed by 

 nature to distribute this fluid through the system of this and 

 other animals of the same class; for, though I cannot hope to 

 discover what more experienced and skilful anatomists have 

 sought in vain, a heart, namely, and a system of circulating 

 vessels ; yet I cannot subscribe to their opinion, that the blood 

 transudes through the coats of the intestines, where of course it 

 must be primarily formed, and thence passes, as through the 

 pores of a sponge, to every part of the body. Both Cuvier and 

 M. Marcel de Serres completed a very elaborate set of experi- 

 ments for the purpose of ascertaining whether the dorsal vessel 

 of insects sends out any lateral branches which might serve the 

 purpose of a circulating system, or whether any other distinct 

 circulating system exists ; but they have entirely failed in their 

 endeavours ; and I feel assured, that where such men have 

 failed, others will not succeed ; and yet their consequent suppo- 

 sition that the blood is diffused through the general substance 

 of the body, appears to me very highly improbable. It accords 

 not with the general character of those means by which nature 

 tisually produces its effects ; there is too little of art and contri- 

 vance, if I may use such terms, on such an occasion, in the mode 

 supposed to be employed. Even in the formation of mineral 

 crystals, which are unorganized bodies, the attraction by which 

 the component particles are aggregated is regulated by laws 

 the most systematically framed and observed : and whoever has 

 viewed with any attention that wonderful monument of human 

 industry and sagacity, the Anatomical Museum of John Hunter, 

 and has there seen the proofs of a sanguineous circulation in 

 animals of an order so low, that they can hardly be said to have 

 any specific form or substance, will almost necessarily be dis- 

 posed to expect a similar provision in a class of animals, whose 

 general structure is so elaborately and beautifully organized as 

 that of insects." 



Organs of Respiration. Ten stigmata are very distinctly visi- 

 ble on each side of the body. The first in order beginning from 

 the head is situated very near the lower part of the posterior 

 ridge of the thorax. This is apparently connected with all the 

 trachese, both of the thorax and the head itself. It differs remark- 

 ably in size and form from all the rest ; for instead of being a 

 mere dot or point, it is an elongated fissure, bounded by two 

 horny lips. The second stigma, which somewhat resembles ia 



