'24 An Inquiry respecting 



the expansion of her aerial sub-aquatic tenement to its proper ha- 

 Wtable diraensious.* 



The entire history indeed of the various species of the Spider and 

 of the Bee teems with wonders, and supplies an ample stock of 

 evidence in support of the proposition that they are guided and in- 

 structed by an intelligence which they do not themselves perceive. 

 But as their history may be seen at large in the excellent work on 

 Entomology from which our illustrations from that science have 

 hitherto been derived, I forbear to svvell the catalogue ; and shall 

 conclude this branch of the subject, by adducing from the same 

 work, two remarkable instances, exemplifying, in the larva of ^ 

 species of Myrmeleon., and in the Termesfatalis, the most extraor- 

 dinary and surprising operations, totally incompatible with any 

 conscious scientific ability of the creatures ; appending to these 

 some remarks on the inferences drawn by Messrs. Kirby and 

 Spence, from a singular case of instinct, adapted to contingencyj 

 in the Humble-bee. 



The first mentioned insect, whose length when full grown, is 

 about half an inch, and whose shape slightly resembles that of the 

 Wood-louse, is an inhabitant of the south of Europe, feeds upon 

 the juices of Ants and other insects, digging a conical hole or pit 

 for the purpose of entrapping them. This it effects by tracing a circle 

 in a soil of loose dry sand, and excavating with surprising dexte- 

 rity a furrow within the included space ; loading its flat head by 

 means of one leg with a ])ortion of the sand, which it jerks adroitly 

 over the boundary ; and working backwards till it arrives at 

 the part of the circle whence it started ; it then traces a new 

 circle and proceeds with the work, constantly throwing the sand 

 from the interior, till it completes its pit to the bottom or apex. 

 It is indefatigable in its labours, and relieves the leg which it uses 

 as a shovel to load its head, by working through each successive 

 circle in an opposite direction, and thus exercising each leg alterr 

 uately, always working with the one next the centre. When it 

 meets with stones too large to be jerked from its head, it contrives 

 to get them poised upon its back, and if in ascending the side of the 

 pit, the stone should be again precipitated, in renewing its attempt 



* Kirby and Spcnco, vol. i- p. 47 j. 



