140 INFANCY. 



almost general law of Nature, which subsists among other 

 animals, fishes devour, without distinction, every smaller or 

 weaker animal, whether it belongs to a different species, or 

 to their own. In animals of a much higher order, voracity 

 of appetite is seldom accompanied with ingenuity or elegance 

 of taste. When the principal attention of an animal is en- 

 grossed with any sensual appetite, it is a fair conclusion that 

 the mental powers are weak, because they are chiefly em- 

 ployed upon Che grossest of all objects. If this observation be 

 just, fishes must be ranked among the most stupid animals of 

 equal magnitude and activity. 



The infant state of insects is a various and complicated 

 subject. After they escape from the egg, they undergo so 

 many changes, and assume such a variety of forms, that it is 

 difficult to determine the period of their existence, which 

 corresponds to the condition of infancy in the larger animals. 

 Different kinds remain a longer or shorter time in the form of 

 worms and chrysalids, and then of caterpillars, or grubs, be- 

 fore they are changed into flies. When young, like other 

 animals, they are small and feeble ; but even in their most 

 helpless condition, with a very few exceptions, Nature is their 

 only nurse. They require no aid from their parents, who, in 

 general, are totally unacquainted with their progeny. But, 

 as formerly observed, when treating of instinct, the mothers 

 uniformly deposit their eggs in situations which afford both 

 protection and nourishment to their young. The parent fly, 

 according to the species, invariably, unless restrained by 

 necessity, deposits its eggs upon particular plants, in the 

 bodies of other animals, in the earth, or in water. Whenever, 

 therefore, an insect receives existence in its primary form, all 

 its wants are supplied. Though the mother, after the worms 

 issue from the eggs, takes no charge of her offspring, and fre- 

 quently does not exist at the time they come forth, yet, by an 

 unerring and pure instinct, she uniformly places them in situa- 

 tions where the young find proper nourishment, and everv 

 thing necessary to their feeble condition. 



To this general law, by which insects are governed, there 

 are several exceptions. Bees, and some other flies, not only 

 construct nests for their young, but actually feed, and most 

 anxiously protect them. 



From what has been said concerning the infancy of ani- 

 mals, one general remark merits attention. Nature has uni- 

 formly, though by various modes, provided for the nourish- 

 ment and preservation of all animated beings while they are 



