370 INSECTS WITHOUT WINGS. 



of Mexico, with a large head and enormous jaws, and 

 eyes so large as to make it terrific ; a forehead covered 

 with immense scales: and, though their figure is calcu- 

 lated to excite apprehension, they appear to have a 

 natural dread of the human race. 



CHAP. XI. 



OF ltf SECTS WITHOVT IVINGS. 



THE SPIDER, THE FLEA, THE LOUSE, THE BUG, THE 

 WOOD-LOUSE, THE WATER-FLEA, THE SCORPION, 

 THE SCOL0PENDRA, AND THE LEECH. 



HAVING passed through the upper ranks of Nature, 

 we now descend to the insect tribe, a subject almost in- 

 exhaustible from their number, and the variety of ap- 

 pearances which they take. " After an attentive ex- 

 " amination (says Swammerdam) of the nature and 

 " anatomy of the smallest, as well as the largest of each 

 " animated race, I cannot help allowing an equal degree 

 " of dignity to the former, and in many instances they 

 " are superior to the larger tribes. If we consider the 

 " unwearied diligence of the ant, its propensity to la- 

 " hour, and its fondness for its young, which it not 

 " only conducts to places where it will find the most 

 " abundance, but, if cut into pie«es, will carry each part 

 " away in its arms, can we produce a greater example 

 " of tenderness ? or can we meet with a greater proof 

 " of maternal regard :" 



