THE BEE. 29 



each of which the dark colouring matter intervenes 

 (PI. IV. fig. 6). 



The nearest approach to these eyes is found in the 

 Arachnidse or Spider races, where, however, the 

 number is greater, and the eyes themselves are some- 

 what more complicated ; in both cases these eyes are 

 surrounded on all sides by curiously-shaped hairs 

 having a central stem and lateral branches. 



If our space permitted, we might add other inter- 

 esting details regarding these organs ; but they have 

 already received a large, though not unmerited, share 

 of our notice, and we must now proceed to the con- 

 sideration of the remaining organs situated upon the 

 head of the Bee. 



We are indeed loth to pass away from this inter- 

 esting portion of the subject, and before doing so, 

 would earnestly recommend you to direct your atten- 

 tion not only to the anatomy of the organs of vision 

 in this and other insects, but also to their operation ; 

 for this is still far from being clearly understood. A 

 careftd consideration of the simple and compound 

 eyes and of their relative uses, besides being a source 

 of great enjoyment, will not fail to reveal some new 

 facts that may prove useful to science. That these 

 wonderful organs teach us edifying lessons in philo- 

 sophy and religion, we have already seen by a com- 

 parison of their structure with that of our achromatic 

 lenses and other portions of our philosophical instru- 

 ments ; for in the latter we see the intelligence of 

 man repeat, in things made, the beautiful conceptions 

 of the Infinite in things created. 



