TOUCHES OF NATUBE 46 



familiar with geese or hens, or with donkeys, he 

 would not have asked that question. The ancients 

 had an axiom that he who knew one truth knew all 

 truths; so much else becomes knowahle when one 

 vital fact is thoroughly known. You have a key, 

 a standard, and cannot be deceived. Chemistry, 

 geology, astronomy, natural history, all admit one 

 to the same measureless interiors. 



I heard a great man say that he could see how 

 much of the theology of the day would fall before 

 the standard of him who had got even the insects. 

 And let any one set about studying these creatures 

 carefully, and he will see the force of the remark. 

 We learn the tremendous doctrine of metamorphosis 

 from the insect world; and have not the bee and 

 the ant taught man wisdom from the first ? I was 

 highly edified the past summer by observing the 

 ways and doings of a colony of black hornets that 

 established themselves under one of the projecting 

 gables of my house. This hornet has the reputation 

 of being a very ugly customer, but I found it no 

 trouble to live on the most friendly terms with 

 them. They were as little disposed to quarrel as I 

 was. It is indeed the eagle among hornets, and 

 very noble and dignified in its bearing. They used 

 to come freely into the house and prey upon the 

 flies. You would hear that deep, mellow hum, and 

 see the black falcon poising on wing, or striking 

 here and there at the flies, that scattered on his 

 approach like chickens before a hawk. When he 

 had caught one, he would alight upon some object 



