124 



THE UNIVERSE. 



secretions found in certain insects ; and indeed it has only 

 been moderately successful in the seeking in the outer 

 world for all the elements of the mysterious phenomena of 

 organic life, which will possibly, for a long time, conceal 

 from us the secrets of its constitution. 



How does the cochineal insect find in the green juices of 

 the cactus, which nourishes it, the magnificent red color, 

 the carmine, which inflates its whole body ? 



63. The Sweet-Smelling Staphylinus: Stapltylinus ohns. 



The musk Cerambyx exhales the most grateful odor of 

 roses ; all round about the willow which it inhabits the air 

 is perfumed with the scent, and these emanations betray the 

 insect with fatal certainty to the collectors in pursuit of it. 

 But the leafage of this tree nourishes also stinking bugs. 

 Can the one draw from the same aliment the most marvel- 

 lous essences, and the other only repulsive and fetid fluids ? 



