164 



THE UNIVERSE. 



This extraordinary peculiarity remained for a long time 

 unknown, even to tlie most celebrated entomologists; 

 they thought at first that these little cocoons which en- 

 velop the caterpillar were only the offspring carefully 

 preserved from cold by maternal foresight. It was re- 



100. Caterxjillur devoured by the Larv.Ts of Ichneumons, and Caterpillar covered Tvith their 



Cocoons. 



served foi- the father of microscopy and for one of the 

 most celebrated observers of Italy, Leuwenhoeck and 

 Vallisneri, to shed a flood of light upon this curious fact 

 and establish the truth. 



The sacred dung-beetle, which played so important a 

 part in the theogony of the banks of the Nile, also executes 

 most arduous tasks in order to protect its offspring. This 

 coleopter only bestows its care upon one egg at a time, 

 but this care is incessant. So soon as it has laid it, the 

 Scarabceus makes its Avay to the dung of some herbivorous 



