BOOK XI 



I. There remain some creatures of immeasurably insects .- 

 minute structure " — in fact some authorities have ami 

 stated that thev do not breathe and also that thev •5'""'"'"''— 



1 T /• 1 1 1 rni r sense-orgajis, 



are actually devoid 01 blood. Ihese are of greAt Umbs and 

 nimiber and of many kinds ; they have the habits *''"^*- 

 of land-animals and of flying animals, some lacking 

 wings, for instance centipedes,'' others winged, for 

 instance bees, others of both kinds, for instance ants, 

 some lacking both wings and feet ; and all are rightly 

 termed insects, from the incisions which encircle 

 them in some cases in the region of their necks and 

 in others of their chests and stomach and separate 

 ofFtheir Hmbs, these being only connected by a thin 

 tube, with some however the crease of the incision 

 not entirely encircling them, but only at the belly 

 or higher up, with flexible vertebrae shaped hke 

 gutter-tiles — showing a craftsmanship on the part 

 of Nature that is more remarkable than in any other 

 case : inasmuch as in large bodies or at all events 

 the larger ones the process of manufacture was 

 facilitated by the yielding nature of the material, 

 whereas in these minute nothings what method, 

 what power, what labyrinthine perfection is dis- 

 played! Where did Nature find a place in a flea 

 for all the senses ? — and other smaller creatures 

 can be mentioned, — but at what point in its surface 

 did she place sight ? where did she attach taste ? 



433 



