CHAP. V. PASSIVE DEFENCES OP INSECTS. l 



considerable length, but our limits have already been 

 transgressed. The insect kingdom, more than any 

 other, abounds with the most curious and wonderful 

 facts, demonstrating the goodness of that Almighty 

 Providence which is continually watching over the well- 

 being of its creatures, and giving to every one, not only 

 the enjoyment of life, but the instinct to preserve it 

 against injury. " Why, then, should man" (as the pious 

 and learned naturalists whom we have so often quoted 

 observes), " the head of the visible creation, ever doubt, 

 if he use his powers and faculties rightly, that his 

 Creator will provide him with what is necessary for 

 his present state? Why should he imagine that a 

 Being, whose very essence is LOVE, unless he compels 

 him, by his own wilful and obdurate wickedness, 

 will ever cut him off from his care and providence ? 

 Another idea, that, upon this occasion, must force itself 

 upon our mind, is, that nothing is made in vain. When 

 we find that so many seemingly trivial variations in the 

 colour, clothing, form, structure, motions, habits, and 

 economy of animals, are, in one way or other, of essential 

 importance to them, we may safely conclude that their 

 other peculiarities of which, as yet, we know not the 

 use are equally so : and we may almost say, reversing 

 the words of our Saviour, that not a hair is given to 

 them without our heavenly Father." * 



(186.) On the passive defences possessed by insects, 

 we shall but slightly touch, since they are less striking 

 than those of which we have already treated, and many 

 of them have been incidentally mentioned in connection 

 with the other properties of these creatures. In many 

 tribes, self-preservation is promoted by some peculiarity 

 of form ; in others, by colour, by which they either 

 deceive, dazzle, alarm, or annoy their enemies ; while, 

 in others, the same object is effected by their clothing 

 or external substance, their involuntary secretions, their 

 vitality, or their numbers. Many insects deceive by the 

 close resemblance of their form to other substances. 



* Kirby and Spence, Int. to Ent. voL ii. p. 26ft 



