BUTTERFLY AESTHETICS. 159 



thing which we ourselves choose to sweeten 

 our rooms. 



Finally, if we look at the sense of taste, 

 we find an equally curious agreement between 

 men and insects ; for the honey which is 

 stored by the flower for the bee, and by the 

 bee for its own use, is stolen and eaten up by 

 man instead. Hence, when I consider the 

 general continuity of nervous structure 

 throughout the whole animal race, and the 

 exact similarity of the stimulus in each in- 

 stance, I can hardly doubt that the butterfly 

 really enjoys life somewhat as we enjoy it, 

 though far less vividly. I cannot but think 

 that he finds honey sweet, and perfumes 

 pleasant, and colour attractive ; that he feels 

 a lightsome gladness as he flits in the sun- 

 shine from flower to flower, and that he 

 knows a faint thrill of pleasure at the sight of 

 his chosen mate. Still more is this belief 

 forced upon me when I recollect that, so far as 

 I can judge, throughout the whole animal 

 world, save only in a few aberrant types, sugar 



