INSECTS. 



99 



In the common Bee the same structure is not less apparent. 

 The fiery eyes of many Gad-flies {Talani, Fig. 72), whicli 

 present vivid bands of pui-ple and green, are composed of 

 similar lenses, and eacli eye 

 contains nearly seven thou- 

 sand.* The Ant has 50 

 lenses ; the House-fly 4,000 ; 

 while above 17,000 have 

 been counted in the eye of 

 a Butterfly, and more than 

 25,000 in that of a species 

 of Bectle-t 



It is impossible to read 

 the simple facts which science thus makes known, and not be 

 struck with the complexity of structure shown in those dimi- 

 nutive creatures, considered with regard to only one of their 

 senses and its manifold functions. Nor can we hesitate for a 

 moment to attribute to the beneficence of our common Creator 

 the compensating contrivances by which the want of motion 



Fig. 72 Tabancs. 



Fig. 73. — Ptralis of tbb Vibk. 



Fig. 73.— Vine-leaf attacked by the Pyralia.—i, The male.— 4 a, The female. 

 < b. The Caterpillar. — i c. The eggs — 4 d and 4 e. The pupae. 



• Kirby and Spencc, vol. iiL f Wordtlla Beetle. 



