192 
LAVATER*9 
£ssay xxii. 
On Infects. 
INSECTS form a world feparate from otiief 
beings ; and, far as they are removed from the 
human fpecies, the Phyfiognomift will find them fit 
obje6ls of meditation. This truth muft inflantly 
ftrike him — that the figure of every creature indi- 
cates its aftive and pafTive power, or in what degree 
it can enjoy or deftroy, fuffer or refill:. 
For inflance ; is it not clear, that an infeff with 
hard and clofe wings appears much fuperior to the 
puny butterfly, who has not the fame advantage ? 
At the fame time,, does it not ftrike a fuperficial 
obferver, that the fofteft fubftance muft be the 
weakeft, and, confequently^ moft liable to be de- 
ftroyed ? 
Another remark will be made, — that the total 
want of brains renders thefe creeping creatures a 
direft contrail to man, who is fo abundantly fup- 
plied with that neceffary article. 
Befide^ is there not among their various claffes 
a material difference confident with their chara£ler ? 
The wafp difcovers more fpirit than the cater- 
pillar, who crawls as if he had fcarce a breath of 
life 
