250 INSECT ARCHITECTURE. 



to them in particular, by the constant passing of such 

 a number as to constitute something like a little 

 stream ; and I was led to search into the object of 

 their direct flight, as in general it is irregular and 

 seemingly inquisitive. I soon found that they dropped 

 on some recent nuisance ; but what powers of per- 

 ception must these creatures possess, drawn from all 

 distances and directions by the very little fetor which, 

 in such a calm evening, could be diffused around, 

 and by what inconceivable means could odours reach 

 this beetle in such a manner as to rouse so inert an 

 insect into action ? But it is appointed one of the 



treat scavengers of the earth, and marvellously en- 

 owed with powers of sensation, and means of elfect- 

 ing this purpose of its being. Exquisitely fabricated 

 as it is to receive impressions, yet probably it is not 

 more highly gifted than any of the other innumer- 

 able creatures that wing their way around us, or 

 creep about our paths, though by this one perceptible 

 faculty, thus ' dimly seen,' it excites our wonder and 

 surprise. How wondrous then the whole 1 



" The perfect cleanliness of these creatures is a 

 very notable circumstance, when we consider that 

 nearly their whole lives are passed in burrowing in 

 the earth, and removing nuisances ; yet such is the 

 admirable polish of their coating and limbs, that we 

 very seldom find any soil adhering to them. The 

 meloe, and some of the scarabeci, upon first emerging 

 from their winter's retreat, ar.e commonly found with 

 earth clinging to them ; but the removal of this is 

 one of the first operations of the creature ; and all 

 the beetle race, the chief occupation of which is 

 crawling about the soil, and such dirty employs, are, 

 notwithstanding, remarkable for the glossiness of their 

 covering, and freedom from defilements of any kind. 

 But purity of vesture seems to be a principal precept 

 of nature, and observable throughout creation. 

 Fishes, from the nature of the element in which they 



