FOOD OF INSECTS. 401 



fore part of the body when touched, and replacing itself 

 on its belly if turned upon its back. But this was quite 

 enough to prove it still alive. — I can attribute this singu- 

 lar result to no other circumstance than its having been 

 deprived of a sufficient quantity of food to bring it into 

 the pupa state, though provided with enough for the at- 

 tainment of nearly its full growth as larva. Possibly the 

 same remote cause might act in this case, as operates to 

 prolong the term of existence of annual plants that have 

 been prevented from perfecting their seed ; and it would 

 almost seem to favour the hypothesis of some physiolo- 

 gists, who contend that every organised being has a cer- 

 tain portion of irritability originally imparted to it, and 

 that its life will be long or short as this is slowly or ra- 

 pidly excited — no great consolation this for the advocates 

 for fast-living, unless they are in good earnest in their 

 affected preference of a " short life and a merry One :" 

 though it must be admitted that they would have the best 

 of the argument were the alternative such a state of torpid 

 insensibility as that with which our larva purchased the 

 prolongation of its existence. 



After this general view of the food of insects, and of 

 circumstances connected with it, I proceed to give you 

 an account of some peculiarities in their modes of pro- 

 curing it. 



The vegetable feeders have for the most part but little 

 difficulty in supplying their wants. In the larva state 

 they generally find themselves placed by the parent in- 

 sect upon the very plant or substance which is to nourish 

 them ; and in their perfect state their wings or feet afford 



vol. i. 2d 



