CCASS V. INSECTS. 301 



the energies of every thing that lives or grows, is the 

 season of pleasure and activity to insects. Few of them 

 live beyond a single season ; and some of them only a day, 

 or even a few hours. Such, however, as are long-lived, 

 take the necessary precautions to provide for their safety 

 and subsistence during the winter ; fixing on the most 

 convenient situation for spending that dreary interval, and 

 laying up a sufficient stock of food. But the greater number 

 become torpid during the cold weather ; and, therefore, 

 are exempted from the necessity of accumulating provi- 

 sions. Some caterpillars, for instance, having fed during 

 the summer, retire to places of security at the approach of 

 winter ; when, spinning threads like cobwebs, they suspend 

 themselves, covered with a factitious vesture, which at 

 once keeps them warm, and protects them from external 

 injuries. In this dormant state, they continue, till the 

 returning sun calls them to new life ; when they become 

 invigorated by his influence, expand their wings, and im- 

 mediately exercise all the functions of life. 



Of the animals which lay up stores for winter, the hive- 

 bee and the ant of warmer climates are remarkable in- 

 stances. The wasp, the hornet, and the wild-bee, are no 

 less assiduous in providing commodious apartments, and 

 furnishing them with provisions ; but this is done wholly 

 for the sake of their young ; for, in this climate, after 

 taking care of their progeny, they desert their nests in 

 winter, and seek other situations, where they probably 

 repose in total insensibility. 



But, after all the admirable habits and instincts which 

 may be observed in this class of animated nature, it must 

 be confessed, that they are much inferior to many of the 

 preceding. As, in mechanics, the most complicated ma- 

 chines are required to perform the nicest operations ; so, 

 in anatomy, the noblest animals are most variously and 

 wonderfully made. Of all living creatures, man exhibits 

 the most astonishing variety, and adaptation of parts in 

 his internal structure ; quadrupeds next succeed ; and 

 other animals follow, in proportion to their powers and 



