THE 



LIFE OF AN INSECT, 



PART I. THE EGG. 



CHAPTER I. 



THE NEST 



To look at a house-fly as it performs its figure-of- 

 eight dances in the air of our rooms, or as it buzzes 

 against the window-pane, vainly endeavouring to 

 dash its tender body through the firm and clear 

 glassy wall to mark how soon it comes into 

 existence, and how soon its little day of life is 

 gone one would say it is a foolish and trifling 

 thing to write the history of an insect's life ; but 

 any one who would thus speak must be ignorant 

 of that which he declares to be folly and trifling. 

 He cannot know the miracles of skill that insects, 



