9 



supposed orders of nerves together, adding to them a brain, 

 and it is certain that we obtain a pretty extensive view of a 

 nervous system how different from any thing that can 

 be traced in insect anatomy, the least laborious entomolo- 

 gist is aware. Again, that in proportion as a complicated 

 and efficient system of nerves, is susceptible of anatomical 

 demonstration, do the phenomena of mind begin to be 

 manifested ; and that sensation, or that perception of ex- 

 ternal objects which supplies the mind with all practical 

 knowledge, eminently belongs to a certain anatomical de- 

 velopment these are also conclusions in conformity to 

 actual experience ; for as we descend the scale of animal 

 and find the general organizations less perfect and com- 

 plete, but particularly the distribution of a nervous system 

 less ample, we also find the evidence of mental operations, 

 imperfect and unsatisfactory. It follows, therefore, that 

 when we come to insects, whose nervous system is of 

 the lowest order, we ought really to be prepared, at any 

 rate for a great diminution of the general sensibility, and 

 for an intelligence, so to speak, proportionately defective, 

 in place of insisting on the fineness of their instincts, and 

 their huge capacity for pain. Moreover, if we go into 

 details, and speculate on those parts of our nervous sys- 

 tem, which, in insects, where the whole is of such small 

 dimensions, might seem the least indispensable, the nerves 

 of sensation will probably present themselves, as the least 

 necessary, and the least likely to be found. .Nerves re- 

 quired for motion of organs should belong indifferently 

 to high and low grades of animal existence ; an equal ne- 

 cessity for nerves of the visceral life, is obvious ; and, the 

 nutrition of every animal requiring them, of such nerves, 

 even irtsects ought not to be, nor are they found to be, 

 destitute. For we may, from analogy, almost venture to 

 name, or strongly to presume, the of/ices of certain even 

 of their nerves; and knowing that the function of nutrition 

 is executed by, or is under the control of, nerves in our- 



