SENSE OF SIGHT. 47 



which, according to the hypothesis of Blumenbach and 

 Reaumur, are solely appropriated to vertical vision, the 

 reticulated eyes being used for horizontal vision. We 

 must, however, in opposition to the opinion of two such 

 celebrated naturalists, presume to affirm that these coro- 

 netted holes or cavities have no relation whatever with the 

 power of vision, and we are rather inclined to consider 

 them as the organs of hearing, than those of sight. 



We, no doubt, shall be accused of treating the highly 

 vaunted discoveries of Huber with levity and an unbecoming 

 severity ; but when the experiments on which he founds 

 those discoveries are revolting to common sense, and at 

 variance with all probability, the mind naturally feels in- 

 dignant at the imposition that is attempted to be practised 

 upon it, and feels a pride in the exposure of the offender. 

 Thus Huber, in order to ascertain the visionary power of 

 the coronetted holes, fell upon the extraordinary experiment 

 of blindfolding the reticulated eyes of the bees, but by what 

 means that extraordinary act was accomplished, Huber 

 is most provokingly silent. The result of this experiment 

 however was, that although the blindfolding was supposed 

 to be complete, still the bee was not wholly deprived of 

 sight, but its flight, instead of being horizontal, was vertical. 

 Thus the important decision was arrived at, that the bee 

 possesses two kinds of vision, one, that enables it to fly 

 straightforward, and another that enables it to fly upwards. 

 A decision, which as far as truth is concerned, is wholly 

 valueless. The late Sir Joseph Banks was severely 

 flagellated with the lash of ridicule for boiling fleas to 

 ascertain if, like lobsters, they would turn red, but that 

 experiment dwindles into positive insignificance, when 

 compared with that of blindfolding a bee to determine the 

 power of its vision. The bee is not an insect to remain 

 docile or passive during the performance of the operation, 

 and delicate indeed must have been the hand, that 



