XXXIV INTRODUCTION. 



by the Creative Power. We know, however, that 

 one very important part is assigned to insects, that 

 of destroying the redundancy of decaying animal and 

 vegetable matter ; and in performing this office, few 

 agents could be more effectual; for, in the larvae 

 state, they are not only extremely voracious, but, 

 possessing a stomach nearly the size of their whole 

 body, and having rapid digestive powers, are capable 

 of consuming an immense quantity of food. This 

 period of their existence is by far the longest. 

 Having allayed their almost insatiable voracity, 

 and completed the materials for the development 

 of those organs which are destined to form their 

 future corporeal condition, they become an aurelia, 

 during which state they are quite inert, and without 

 any cravings of hunger. Thereafter they assume 

 the imago, or perfect condition, when, in general, 

 their stomachs are contracted to a tenth of their 

 former capacity; and they frequently exist without 

 food at. all, or only sip the nectar of flowers. After 

 this period, the chief aim the animal seems to have 

 in view, is to propagate its kind, and no other object 

 can divert it from its purpose. 



The new relations which this singular arrangement 

 introduces into nature, are not less wonderful than 

 striking ; for one individual animal combines in itself 



