138 THE UNIVERSE. 



once only to put their wheels and springs in movement ; 

 all that is so marvellous in their existence escaped this 

 brilliant genius. But when Cartesianism had had its day, 

 a few timid philosophers consented to recognize some ob- 

 scure traces of instinct in these animals. 



In proportion, however, as they studied these miniature 

 specimens of creation, men discovered certain elevated 

 faculties and perfect senses, to which succeed comparison 

 and judgment. We even see them accomplish acts, the 

 aim of which puzzles us. They act foreseeing a future, the 

 existence of which no really existing picture could have 

 revealed to them. 



Everything in the life of the insect astonishes us, not 

 only the prodigious extent and finish of its work, but also 

 the fact of its being impelled to a task, the necessity for 

 which cannot have been taught it by tradition. 



This butterfly which escapes in spring from its mummy 

 coffin never yet held intercourse with its kin ; how can it 

 in autumn display so much provident care for an offspring 

 which it will never see ! This delicate care, this deep fore- 

 sight, cannot even be a reflection of its first impressions ! 

 The traces of them must have been effaced during the 

 metamorphoses which so completely transformed it. 



Who revealed to this dragon-fly (Libellula), born beneath 

 the water, living in gloom and sunk in the mud, that its 

 last country is the brilliant sky ? And when, hurried away 

 by a supreme instinct, it prepares to throw off the ignoble 

 garment of the larva, to drink in the air and light, who 

 points out to it the precise moment at which it ought to 

 tear itself away from the depths of the marsh, adorn itself 



