402 FOOD OF INSECTS. 



a ready conveyance to the banquet to which by an un- 

 erring sense they are directed. All nature lies before 

 them, and it is only when their numbers are extraordi- 

 narily increased, or in consequence of some unusual de- 

 struction of their appropriate aliment, that they perish for 

 want. The description of their food renders unnecessary 

 those artifices to which many of the carnivorous insects 

 are obliged to have recourse ; and none of them, if we 

 except the Termites, whose cunning mode of insinuating 

 themselves into houses in tropical climates has been de- 

 tailed in a former letter, can be said to use stratagem in 

 obtaining their food- 



Of the carnivorous species, the greater proportion at- 

 tack their prey by open violence, such as the Cicindelce, 

 CarabidcE and Staphylinida ; the Ichneumonidce, Spheges 

 and Vespce ,• the Mantes, Cimicidde, Libcllididte, &c. ; 

 which have been before adverted to. But a very con- 

 siderable number, chiefly, however, of one tribe, that of 

 spiders, provide their sustenance solely by artifice and 

 stratagem, the singularity of which, and the admirable 

 adaptation of the instruments by which they take their 

 prey to the end in view, afford a most wonderful instance 

 of the power and wisdom of the Creator, and have at- 

 tracted admiration in all ages. A description of these, 

 however, which will require a detailed survey, I must 

 refer to another letter. 



I am, &c. 



