84 XATI'EAL HISTOET OF 



The purposes which some of these peculiarities 

 of structure were designed to serve are sufficiently 

 apparent ; but in the greater number of cases we can 

 scarcely form a conjecture as to their use. Much of 

 the variety of form which these insects present, is no 

 doubt the necessary result of their being destined to 

 subserve so many different purposes in the economy 

 of nature. The configuration of each individual spe- 

 cies is that which adapts it best to fulfil the various 

 ends of its being ; and this connection between figure 

 and function is so strikingly displayed in the case 

 of many insects with w r hich w r e are well acquainted, 

 that we are authorized to presume its existence when 

 their habits are unknown to us. A more intimate 

 acquaintance with these habits, would doubtless ex- 

 plain the utility of many a remarkable form and fan- 

 tastical assemblage of horns and prominences, which 

 our present imperfect knowledge might lead us to 

 regard as unnecessary or even cumbrous, and w r ould 

 enable us to appreciate more fully the wisdom — 

 " wonderful in counsel and excellent in working"— 

 that has presided over the organization of these lowly 

 beings, and taught them to work its will. At the 

 same time it may reasonably be supposed that use- 

 fulness to the individual is not always the object in 

 view : the production of a pleasing variety may have 

 been as much the design of the creating mind in 

 the present instance, as it appears to have been in 

 giving a particular form and character to the leaves 

 and foliage of different trees, although the functions 



