240 ENTOMOLOGY. 



Sexes of Insects. 



Worms are generally hermaphrodite. In insects, 

 the male predominates ; but the working bees and 

 amazon ants are undeveloped females. Upon the 

 whole, it appears that the male sex is the most 

 numerous among animals, with the exception of the 

 human race. 



In quadrupeds, the males are larger than the 

 females ; while among insects, and even some birds, 

 the females exceed the males in size. 



From the division of our earth-worms six perfect 

 ones have been procured, 213 days from the date of 

 section. 



The Musquetoe. 



Although the musquetoe drenches itself with blood 

 where it can get it, yet blood is evidently not its 

 natural food, for it abounds in parts where there are 

 neither beasts nor men to prey upon; 



Peculiarities of Insects.* 



A humble bee will eat honey with greediness, 

 although deprived of its abdomen ; and an ant will 

 walk when deprived of its head. The head of a wasp 

 will attempt to bite after it is separated from the 

 body ; and the abdomen, under similar circumstances, 

 if the finger be moved to it, will attempt to sting. 

 What is still more extraordinary, the headless trunk 

 of a male mantis has been known to unite itself with 

 the other sex. 



The Eyes of Insects. 

 The possibility of the functions of the eye being 



* This note is from excellent authority, but appears rather 

 marvellous. Modern writers on Entomology seem too prone to 

 copy from the old Dutch and French naturalists, without verify- 

 ing their assertions. 



