218 NATURAL THEOLOG-Y. 



the insect, by; turning round its body, or by receding froia 

 that point, driws out the thread through the holes above 

 described, by an operation, as has been observed, exactly 

 similar to the drawing of wire. The thread, like the wire, 

 is formed by the hole through which it passes. In one re- 

 spect there is a difference. The wire is the metal unal- 

 tered, except in figure. In the animal process, the nature of 

 ihe substance is somewhat changed as well as the form ; 

 for as it exists wdthin the insect, it is a soft, clammy gum 

 or glue. The thread acquires, it is probable, its firmness 

 and tenacity from, the action of the air upon its surface in 

 the moment of exposure ; and a thread so fine is almost all 

 surface. This property, however, of the paste is part of the 

 contrivance. 



The mechanism itself consists of the bags or reservoirs 

 into Avhich the glue is collected, and of the external holes 

 communicating with these bags ; and the action of the ma- 

 chine is seen in the forming of a thread, as wire is formed, 

 by forcing the material already prepared through holes oi 

 proper dimensions. The secretion is an act too subtile for 

 our discernment, except as we perceive it by the produce. 

 But one thing answers to another — the secretory glands to 

 the quality and consistence required in the secreted sub- 

 stance, the bag to its reception. The outlets and orifices 

 are constructed not merely for relieving the reservoirs of 

 their burden, but for manufacturing the contents into a form 

 and texture of great external use, or rather, indeed, of future 

 necessity to the life and functions of the insect. 



II. Bees, under one character or other, have furnished 

 every naturalist with a set of observations. I shall in this 

 place confine myself to one, and that is the relation which 

 obtains between the wax and the honey. No person who 

 has inspected a beehive can forbear remarking how com- 

 modiously the honey is bestowed in the comb, and among 

 other advantages, how efiectually the fermentation of the 

 honey is prevented by distributing it into small cells. The 



