io OF INSTINCT. SECT. XVI. i& 



continue in the rivers fo late, that they become per- 

 fectly emaciated by the inconvenience of their fitu- 

 ation, and this apparently to guide or to protect 

 the unexperienced brood. 



Of the fmaller water animals we have fUll lefs 

 knowledge, who neverthelefs probably poflels many 

 fuperior arts; fome of thefe are mentioned in Bo- 

 tanic Garden, P. L Add. Note XXVII. and 

 XXVIII. The nympha of the water-moths of our 

 rivers, which cover themfelves with cafes of ft raw, 

 gravel, and fhell, contrive to make their habitations 

 nearly in equilibrium with the water ; when too 

 heavy, they add a bit of wood or draw; when tqq 

 light, a bit of gravel. Edinb. Tranf. 



All thefe circumftances bear a near refemblance 

 to the deliberate actions of human reafon. 



XV. We have a very imperfect acquaintance with, 

 the various tribes of infects: their occupations, man- 

 ner of life, and even the number of their fenfcs, 

 differ from our own, and from each other ; but 

 there is reafon to imagine, that thofe which poflefs 

 the fenfe of touch in the njoft exquifite degree, and 

 -whofe occupations require the mod conftant exer- 

 tion of their powers, are indued with a greater pro- 

 portion of knowledge and ingenuity. 



The fpiders of this country manufacture nets of 

 various forms, adapted to various fituations, to ar- 

 reft the flies that are their food ; and fome of them, 

 have a houfe or lodging place in the middle of the 

 net, well contrived for warmth, fecurity, or con- 

 cealment. There is a large Spider in South Ame- 

 rica, who conftructs nets of fa ftrong a texture as 

 to entangle fmall birds, particularly the humming 

 bird. And in Jamaica there is Another fpider, who 

 digs a hole in the earth obliquely downwards, about 

 fhree inches in length, and one inch in diameter, 

 this cavity (he lines with a tough thick web, which 

 ^rhen taken out refembles a leathern purfe : 



