198 MORAL OF INSECT MOVEMENTS. 



generation as these, the children of instinct, and whether it be 

 not time with each of us to begin our preparations for that 

 winter which, on earth, is followed by no spring. 



And from our late cursory review of insect movements 

 there also suggests itself, without straining at a moral, a 

 something of individual application in the inquiry as to 

 which among them may represent most aptly our mode of 

 progress or position. 



Are we, like the giddy whirlwig, idly gyrating in the sun of 

 pleasure? or, as quaintly expressed by a courtly moralist,* 

 sick, at least for a season, of courtly vanities, are we " daily 

 following of vain pursuits, and so, lyke to a mill-horse tred- 

 dinge alwaies in the same steppes, ever as far from a worthy 

 and wise man as the circle from the centre?" 



Or, as opposed to the worldly giddy, are we of the worldly 

 cunning, ever on the watch, like the wily ant-lion, to arrest 

 for our own benefit the progress of others, while we ourselves 

 unconsciously walk backwards? If we are pursuing a straight- 

 forward path, is it, with the "arrow flight" of the bee, a course 

 of industry and innocence, or, with the headlong march or 

 flight of the locust, one of reckless mischief? 



" Straight forward goes 



The lightning's path ; and straight the fearful course 

 Of cannon-ball. Direct it flies and rapid, 

 Shattering that it may reach, and shattering 

 What it reaches." 



* Sir J. Harrington : ' Nugce Antiquce? 



