41 



With them are others of different genera, and quite inoffensive, but so closely resembling 

 the ill-smelling ones in general appearance that it requires a trained eye to distinguish 

 between the kinds. 



The theory of Natural Selection is, that nature in the weaker creatures is straining 

 after a resemblance to the stronger. But, oh, do not think that perfection would be 

 reached when the weaker butterfly, Leptalis orise, became as ill-savoured as its associate, 

 Methona psidii and Macroglossa pelasgus, could sting as sharply as Bombus terricola, and 

 other fancied improvements in insect economy had been made ; for while these changes 

 were taking place the birds and the dragon-flies would often, it will be perceived, have 

 to go supperless to bed, and they too, to use the words of Mrs. Chick, would find it 

 necessary to "make an effort," and would rise superior to their sense of smell ; and then 

 there would be a general disarrangement of aims ; so that, after all, we cannot wonder 

 that untold centuries, as believers in Darwinism tell us, were necessary to change the 

 monad into the man. 



" Not one or two ages sufficed for the feat, 



It required a few millions the change to complete ; 

 But now the thing's done and it looks rather neat, 

 Which nobody can deny." 



This theory of Natural Selection runs counter to certain long-received statements, 

 among which is this: "He hath made everything beautiful in its season ; there can 

 nothing be added to it, and nothing taken away from it." 



rj,Mj Southey, in one of his poems has shewn us that we could make no improvement 

 even upon the pig — that alterations would but mar its pig-perfection : — 



" Jacob ! I do not like to see thy nose 

 Turn'd up in scornful curve at yonder pig, 

 It would be well, my friend, if we, like him, 

 Were perfect in our kind ! * * • * 

 * * * Give thy fancy scope, 

 And thou will find that no imagined change 

 Can beautify the beast. Place at his end 

 The starry glories of the Peacock's pride, 

 Give him the Swan's white breast ; for his horn hoofs 

 Shape such a foot and ankle as the waves 

 Crowded in eager rivalry to kiss, 

 When Venus, from the enamor'd sea arose ; 

 Jacob, thou canst but make a monster of him ! 

 All alteration man could think would mar 

 His pig-perfection." 



And a class of students once tried their hands at insect manufacture, but were not 

 eminently successful. They took the thorax of one species, the head of another, the 

 abdomen of a third, the legs of a fourth, the wings of a fifth, and the antennae of a sixth ; 

 and by the aid of mucilage, and with careful manipulation, they succeeded in setting up 

 a very extraordinary object. An innocent-looking individual of their number was chosen 

 to be spokesman ; and they presented themselves in a body before one of the professors 

 distinguished for his knowledge of Natural History — " Would the Professor oblige them 

 so much as to tell them the name of that bug?" The old gentleman took it — looked at 

 it — put it down, and took out his glasses and examined it again — and a twinkle was seen 

 in his eye, " Gentlemen," he said, " that is a remarkable bug — a very remarkable bug ! 

 It looks to me like a specimen of the hum-bug." 



The instances of Mimetic Analogy which I have hitherto brought forward have 

 betokened providential care for the safety of insects, without loss or detriment to the 

 creatures to which there has been a resemblance. I will now cite one or two of a some- 

 what different character. 



There are certain species of parasitic bees called cuckoo bees, which do not construct 

 cells, and provide a store of pollen for their own larvae, but visit the nests of their more 

 industrious relations, and lay their eggs in the cells which the owners had prepared for 

 their own young. A bee comes to deposit an egg in a cell which she has previously stored 

 with pollen ; but the cuckoo bee has been before her, and she finds an egg therein. She 

 turns away — we can almost fancy her saying to herself, " Dear me, how forgetful I am" — 

 and goes to work upon another cell. 



