352 INSECT CAPABILITIES. 



Admitting, therefore, that insect intelligence and affections 

 may, from the above causes, be totally incapable of the least 

 cultivation or development through agency of man, this is no 

 proof of their inferiority to those of other animals. Instances, 

 however, are not wanting of insects which, in spite of the 

 above hindrances, have shown tokens of something bordering 

 on domestication. 



From the story of M. Pelisson's spider, which always de- 

 scended for the meal wherewith he was accustomed to provide 

 it, on hearing the sound of his flute, we may not infer, per- 

 haps, that spiders in general are gifted (as would appear with 

 the seal) with a soul for music. That particular spider, as 

 well as his race, had probably only a taste for flies ; but from 

 the fact related, the inference is plainly deducible, that they 

 are capable of receiving through their senses other impressions 

 than those absolutely conducive to their support, and that they 

 have in their minds a power of connection such as mere in- 

 stinctive impulse neither requires nor exhibits. 



Supposing the insect, in common with all other animal 

 minds, to possess this extent of capability, we shall not laugh 

 at Keaumur's expression of " the tamed moth," which sipped 

 syrup off his fingers, or doubt the relation of an English 

 naturalist, who tells us of the humming-bird hawks, which, 

 when on wing at their flowery repast, fley away frightened 

 by his presence, till, tamed by custom, they learned to continue 

 unalarmed the discussion of their delicate banquet. 



