48 ON K N T ( ) M O L O G Y . 



whether they are solitary or social, and innumerable others besides, 

 altogether unlike those manifested in the superior departments of ani- 

 mated nature. These instincts have various directions, and are deve- 

 loped in a more or less striking manner to our senses, according to the 

 force of the motive, by which they are governed. Some of their instincts 

 have for their object the preservation of insects from external attack; 

 some have reference to procuring food, and involve many remarkable 

 stratagems ; some direct their social economy, and regulate the condition 

 under which they live together, either in monarchies or republics, their 

 colonizations and their migrations ; but the most powerful instinct which 

 belongs to insects has regard to the preservation of their species. We 

 find accordingly, that as the necessity for this preservation is of the 

 utmost importance in the economy of nature, so for this especial object 

 many insects whose offspring, whether in the egg or larva state, are 

 peculiarly exposed to danger, are endued with an almost miraculous 

 foresight, and with an ingenuity, perseverance and unconquerable 

 industry for the purpose of avoiding those dangers, which are not to be 

 paralleled even by the most singular efforts of human contrivance. The 

 same ingenuity which is employed for protecting either eggs, or Cater- 

 pillars and Grubs, or Pupa and Chrysalides is also exercised by many 

 insects, for their own preservation against the changes of temperature 

 to which they are exposed, or against their natural enemies. Many 

 species employ those contrivances during the period of their hyberna- 

 tion or winter sleep. For all these purposes, some dig holes in the 

 earth and form them into cells ; others build nests of extraneous sub- 

 stances, such as bits of wood and leaves ; others roll up leaves into cases, 

 which they close with the most curious art; others build a house of mud 

 and line it with the cotton of trees, or the petals of the most delicate 

 flowers ; others form cocoons in which they undergo their transformation ; 

 and others dig subterraneous galleries, which in, complexity of arrange- 

 ment, in solidity, and in complete adaptation to their purposes, vie with 

 the cities of civilized man. 



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