THE FEMALE VIRIDISSIMA 161 



simply because, as it seemed to me, there was, so 

 far, nothing to say. In most insects the odour excites 

 and draws the males, often from long distances, as 

 we see in the moths ; they fly to, and find, and see 

 her, and woo, and chase, and fight with each other 

 for possession of her ; and when there are beautiful 

 or fantastic movements, sometimes accompanied with 

 sounds, corresponding to the antics of birds I have 

 observed them in species of Asilidse and 1 other insects 

 they are directly caused by the presence of the 

 female. But with viridissima it appears not to be 

 so, since they do not seek the female, nor will 

 they notice her when she conies in their way, but 

 they are wholly absorbed in their own music, and in 

 trying to out-sing the others, or, failing in this, to 

 kick and bite them into silence. 



Now, seeing this strange condition of things among 

 these insects seeing it day after day for weeks the 

 conclusion forced itself upon my mind that we have 

 here one of those strange cases among the lower crea- 

 tures which are not uncommon in human life the 

 case of a faculty, a means to an end, being developed 

 and refined to an excessive degree, and the reflex 

 effect of this too great refinement on the species, or 

 race. Comparing it then to certain human matters 

 to Art, let us say we see that that which was but 

 a means has become an end, and is pursued for its 

 own sake. 



Such a conclusion may seem absurd, and perhaps it 



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