UNIVERSAL HARMONV OF NATURE'S LAWS. 81 



point of perfection,, Nature recedes on each side, as from 

 a land-mark ; until, by two different routes, she reaches 

 the order Coleoptera, where she presents us with an 

 immense assemblage of insects, having, indeed, four 

 wings, but of which two are converted into cases or 

 shells (elytra), which principally serve as mere pro- 

 tectors or shields to the single pair which are alone 

 formed for flight. Hence it follows, that the beetles 

 are the most imperfect fliers of the Ptilota, or true 

 insects ; while, to compensate for such a loss, they are 

 the most expert runners of all the orders. On looking 

 to the vertebrate animals, we find the same plan in 

 their creation. No birds run so swiftly as the waders 

 ( Grallatores) ; and no quadrupeds, in reference to their 

 size, pass over an extent of ground so swiftly as do the 

 rabbits, the hares, and other types of the order Glires. 

 How beautifully does Nature thus adhere to her primary 

 laws, while she modifies them in the most surprising 

 manner. We shall now terminate our remarks on the 

 metamorphoses of insects, or rather, of those two great 

 divisions which constitute the types of the Annulosa. 



CHAP. II. 



THE LEPIDOPTERA. 



(71.) THE order Lepidoptera, as being the most per- 

 fect of all insects, is that with which we commence our 

 survey. It comprises the butterflies, the hawk moths, 

 and the moths. The wonderful metamorphosis under- 

 gone by these insects, would be almost incredible, were 

 it not familiarised to us from early childhood. That a 

 crawling worm, ravenous of gross food, should volun- 

 tarily seek a retreat in the earth, or spin its own shroud, 



