86 OF THE SENSES OF 



After an attentive perusal of all which has been 

 written on this subject, we are quite unable to venture 

 even an opinion ; and it would only be a waste of 

 time to adduce all the arguments which have been 

 held on both sides of the question. 



OF VISION. 



MUCH difference of opinion exists among naturalists, 

 regarding the extent of vision in insects. In the 

 instance of bees, Huber says, " How great is the 

 perfection of their organ of sight ! Since, from a 

 distance, the bee recognizes its habitation, amidst an 

 apiary of numerous others resembling it, and returns 

 in a straight line with great velocity, we must 

 suppose that it is distinguished by marks escaping 

 our notice. The bee departs, and flies straight to the 

 most flowery field. Having ascertained its course, it 

 is seen traversing it directly, as the flight of a cannon 

 or musket ball. Its collection being made, it rises 

 aloft in the air, to reconnoitre its hive ; and returns 

 with the rapidity of lightning." * 



On this subject, very opposite opinions prevail ; 

 for Wildman maintains, that he has observed bees 

 searching for the door of their hive, and frequently 

 been obliged to rise in the air again, in order to find 

 it. This, according to the views of Dr Bevan, is, 

 because they see objects at a distance better than 



* HUBER on Sees, Edinburgh Edition, p, 255. 



