2 INTRODUCTION. 



naturalists, but the closer we examine their struc- 

 ture and development, the more abundant proofs 

 shall, w,e find of harmonious adaptations to their 

 surroundings ; and just as their organization ever 

 foretokens a more perfect form, so shall we be led 

 to an increasing apprehension of the consummate 

 skill by which is produced and upheld that 

 wonderful co-ordination of structure, form, devel- 

 opment, and relation to the outside world, which 

 the complete study of any creature exhibits. It 

 is the growth rather than the perfection of any 

 organism which is of supreme interest ; and not 

 until we penetrate into the deepest mysteries of 

 the earliest and most humble existence of organic 

 forms, can we have any conception of the marvels 

 of life and growth, or apprehend the workings of 

 the Creator. 



When we study the perfect insect, we shall 

 trace the mode by which its new organs, external 

 and internal, have been developed from strangely 

 different parts in the immature stages. Then we 

 shall take the greatest pains to get at the creat- 

 ure's habits of life; " know all its ingenuities, 

 humors, delights, and intellectual powers ; that 

 is to say, what art it has, and what affection ; 

 and how these are prepared for its external 

 form ;" * we shall watch the procession of the 



* Ruskin, " The Eagle's Nest," p. 154. 



