150 LIFE, IN’ ITS INTERMEDIATE FORMS. 
tions ; by which word “ species ” we mean animals as 
distinct from each other as the Rat from the Mouse, or 
the Blackbird from the Thrush : races of animals, each of 
which has descended from an original first parent, created 
distinct and separate at the beginning of the world. 
Insects are composed of rings, or annular segments, 
like the Annelida ■ and a caterpillar, which is an imma- 
ture butterfly or moth, is much like a Worm ; but in the 
full-grown Insect wo see a manifest condensation of form, 
the segments being generally compacted together, except 
at two points, where division is very manifest. Thus, if 
we look at a Wasp, we see that it is distinctly divided 
into three portions, the head, the trunk (thorax), and the 
body (abdomen ) ; separated by constrictions so deep as 
nearly to cut off the mutual connexion of these parts. All 
perfect or full-grown Insects shew the same divisions, 
though not commonly so strongly marked. The appella- 
tions “ Insecta” and “ Entoma ” (whence entomology) have 
been hence given to the Class, these Latin and Greek 
terms signifying “ cut into.” 
The perfection which is bestowed on the organs of sense 
in these animals, especially when we consider their minute- 
ness, is calculated to fill us with adoring admiration of the 
skill of “the Great Workmaster.” Take an example from 
the eyes, which are of several kinds, evidently designed 
for distinct modes of vision, of which we, who have but 
one sort of eyes, can form no adequate notion. The Bee 
and many other insects have on the crown of the head a 
number, usually three, of simple glassy eyes, set like 
“ bull’s-eyes ” in a ship’s deck ; and besides these a great 
compound eye on each side, consisting of a multitude of 
