302 CLASS V. INSECTS. 



excellences. Insects seem to be the most imperfectly 

 organized : many of them will live a considerable time 

 after they are deprived of the parts which, in the higher 

 ranks of nature, are essential to life ; and the caterpillar 

 will exist, when stripped even of its heart and lungs. 



It is not, however, in their conformation only, but also 

 in their instincts, that insects are inferior to other animals. 

 It is true, the ant and the bee present us with very striking 

 instances of assiduity and foresight ; but they fall very short 

 of those proofs of sagacity displayed by the hound or the 

 horse. A bee, when detached from the swarm, is totally 

 inactive, and incapable of giving the smallest variation to 

 its instincts ; it has but a single mode of operation ; and> 

 if it be prevented from the exercise of that, it can have 

 recourse to no other. In the pursuits of the dog, there 

 appears something like choice, and a promptitude for ex- 

 pedients; but in the labours of the bee, all has the sem-* 

 blance of compulsion, or inevitable necessity. 



Another observation, tending to show the imperfection 

 and inferiority of insects, may be suggested from their 

 amazing numbers. It is a rule which universally prevails, 

 that the nobler animals are slowly produced ; and that, in 

 regard to them, nature acts with a kind of dignified eco- 

 nomy ; while the meaner births are lavished in a sort of 

 sportive profusion, and thousands are produced, merely 

 to supply the necessities of the more favoured classes. 

 The higher subjects of animation are all capable of some 

 degree of education, and evince different portions of do- 

 cility ; their instincts may be suppressed or altered : the 

 dog may be taught to fetch and carry, the bird to whistle 

 the notes of a tune, and the serpent to dance ; but the 

 insect cannot be taught ; no arts can enlarge its narrow 

 instincts, nor any attention conciliate its regard. 



If insects are considered as bearing a relation to man, 

 and as promoting his pleasures or relieving his necessities, 

 they will even in this respect sink below the level of the 

 animals before described. The bee, the silk-worm, the 

 cochineal-fly, and the cantharides, are indeed of essential 



