48 



respiration. But later experiment shew, that there 

 is no species of them which has not lungs, and these 

 larger in proportion than other animals, In most of 

 them they lie on, or near the surface of the body. 

 And hence it is, that if flies are besmeared with.oiJ, 

 or any other unctuous matter, they die in a short 

 time, their respiration being stopt ? so that they are 

 properly suffocated. 



4. Some also have imagined, that insects were gene- 

 rated out of mere putrefaction, because they observed 

 worms come out of putrified flesh, which afterwards 

 turned to flies. But it is certain, if pntrifying flesh be 

 shut up close, no worms are ever generated from it. 

 Hence we learn that flies lay their eggs in flesh, which 

 hatch when it putrifies : so thai the animal just comes 

 to life when its food is ready for it. All insects lay 

 their eggs, where there is heat enough to hafcch them, 

 and proper food as soon as they are hatched. Those 

 whose food is in the water, lay their eggs in the water: 

 those to whom flesh is a proper food, in flesh: those to 

 whom the fruits or leaves of vegetables are food, are 

 deposited on the proper fruits or leaves. And con. 

 stantly the same kind is found on the same fruit or 

 plantl Those that require more warmth, ar s e lodged 

 by the parent, in or near the body of some animal. 

 And as for those to whom none of these methods are 

 proper, the parents make them nests by perforations 

 in the earth, in wood, in combs : carrying in aud 

 sealing up provisions, that serve both to produce the 

 young, and to feed them when produced. 



The eggs of all insects become* worms, commonly 

 called Nymphifi. They are ne*t changed into Aure- 

 Jhe, so called, enclosed in a case ; and these dying 3 a 

 j]y or butterfly succeeds. 



Some Aurelia shine like polished gold. From the 

 beautiful and resplendent colour, some authors have 

 called it a Chrysalis, implying a creature made .of 

 gold. This brilliant hue, which does not fall short 



