

300 SYMBOLIC ANALOGIES. 



reflecting us in these respects so faithfully as the bee, the ant, 

 the butterfly, and self-destructive moth. 



Or if, lastly, and as more generally considered, we view 

 both insect development and insect perfection as strictly re- 

 presentative of our spiritual progression and final state, then, 

 while we look delighted on a host of innocent and beautiful 

 flutterers, as creatures progressing towards that happy state, 

 can we shut our eyes upon their numerous opposites winged 

 creatures, fierce and destructive, or creeping things in prepa- 

 ration only for such perfection ? And if the former, then 

 must the latter have corresponding forms of spirit forms 

 which, in all their dire maturity, are existent in the world un- 

 seen, though nearer than we think of, and which may be also 

 (and awful is the thought !) in course of daily development and 

 progression within ourselves. 



Besides these insect " Beelzebubs and Belials," so named 

 from their figure, attributes, and dark localities, and more de- 

 structive than them all, though in outward semblance less re- 

 pulsive, there is the insidious tribe of Ichneumon flies, the^slow 

 devourers of living caterpillars ; and herein the striking em- 

 blems of those lurking, parasitic vices which prey on and 

 destroy the soul,* the "Angelica for/a lla" which they never 

 suffer to arrive at the bright maturity for which it was created. 



In connection with Insect Development regarded as a type 

 of our spiritual progress, we may mention here a speculative 



* Kirby. 



