WAYS OF INSECTS. 
191 
vision for a seemingly mean and worthless purpose, as 
is bestowed upon a higher and apparently more worthy 
object. We consider insects as one of the lower orders 
of creation, but are as perfectly unacquainted, generally 
speaking, with the objects of their being, though they 
have for ages crawled and winged their way around us, 
as the first man Adam was ; yet there is a care mani- 
fested for the preservation and accommodation of these, 
which we often designate as contemptible creatures, 
that is most elaborate and wonderful. The forethought 
with which many of them have been furnished to de- 
posit their eggs in safety from the contingencies of 
seasons and hostile incidents, and precisely in the 
situation most fitting, must call forth the admiration of 
all who have observed it. Some of these are lodged in 
summer and autumn deep in the earth, on that part of 
a plant which in due time is to be raised up, consti- 
tuting a stalk or blade, bearing with it by gentle steps 
! these eggs, to be vivified by the summer’s air and 
warmth. Others fix them on some portion of an herb 
hidden beneath the mud in the pool ; and this being 
elevated by the warmth of spring, conveys them with 
its growth above the element that protected them, and 
they hatch, the infants feeding on the substance that 
has borne them to the air. In their chrysalis state, a 
cradle of preparation for a final change, the same wisdom 
and care are more particularly obvious from their size 
and frequent occurrence : but to enlarge sufficiently 
upon the contrivances and manifestations of regard 
brought to our observance in all the stages of an insect’ 
life, would almost require a detail of the race. 
A particularly curious covering for a moth, or butter- 
fly, (phalsena pavonia?) fell into my hands, which might 
be well known to a more experienced entomologist, 
but was new to me. The species I do not know, as it 
never arrived at perfection. This case was formed of 
the fine silky substance that wraps up so many of the 
race. The summit for some cause was less closed than 
usual ; but to obviate any injury to the creature from 
this circumstance, a conical hood of similar materials 
! was placed over the exposed part of the aurelia, through 
