HISTORY OF APHIDES, ETC. 235 



established his position that even metamorphoses so 

 unexpected as these, are not at variance with the har- 

 mony of Nature, but are really instances and further 

 manifestations of that harmony. His object is to show 

 that, under some modification or other, they exist in all 

 classes of animals below the Vertebrates. The well- 

 known circumstances in the history of Aphides, and the 

 existence of numerous sexes of bees, wasps, and ants, 

 each having its assigned office, have been skilfully com- 

 pared with the facts we have just been discussing, and 

 an unexpected connection established among them. It 

 is thus one department of Nature throws light upon 

 another, proving that to understand any part it is neces- 

 sary to be acquainted with more. And this consider- 

 ation ought to cure us of making rash assertions as to 

 what is or is not possible in a natural phenomenon. 

 When Chamisso first announced his discovery of the 

 propagation of Salpce, he was laughed at as a dreamer. 

 And now, not only is the fact, as described by Chamisso, 

 established in its minutest details, but it is shown to be 

 by no means isolated, and it receives support and con- 

 firmation from the most unexpected quarters. 



Now is it pleasant in the summer-eve, 

 When a broad shore retiring waters leave, 

 A while to wait upon the firm fair sand, 

 When all is calm at sea, all still at land ; 

 And there the ocean's produce to explore, 

 As floating by or rolling on the shore ; 

 Those living jellies which the flesh inflame, 

 Fierce as a nettle, and from that their name ; 

 Some in huge masses, some that you may bring 

 In the small compass of a lady's ring ; 



