36G 
ANALYSIS OF SUBJECTS. 
Of the value of certain insects as food, .170 
As, for instance, in the case of the locust, ... . .. . .171 
The law of retaliation illustrated. -. . .172 
* , 
CHAPTER V.-A PHANTASMAGORIA OF LIGHT AND COLOUR. 
How does the insect express its intensity of vital force ? ... . ... 175 
In various ways, but specially through its glowing hues, .176 
Which are displayed with a profusion that astonishes and almost overcomes the observer, 177 
But are not inconsistent with an ingenious mimicry . ... ... .177 
A diversion is made to the tropical forest,. ... . ... ... ... 178 
Where the insect life is seen in its most splendid developments, ... ... 179 
Like winged flames they haunt the leafy shades,.180 
The fire-fly lights up the gloom, and also furnishes woman’s beauty with a living orna¬ 
ment, . . .. 181, 182 
CHAPTER VI.—THE SILKWORM. 
The exquisite structure of a woman’s hair enlarged upon, ... . .185 
What can compare with it ? Only the silkworm’s thread, ... ... . ... 186 
Peculiar charm attending the silkworm’s labours, ... . .186 
And the preciousness of the silken product, ... ... .187 
Something is said about the use of silk in Mediaeval France, ... .188 
And on its excellence and fitness as a garment for Beauty, ... ... .189 
CHAPTER VII.-INSTRUMENTS OF THE INSECT : AND ITS CHEMICAL ENERGIES, 
AS IN THE COCHINEAL AND THE CANTHAR1DES. 
Hitherto the writer has treated ordy of the silk of the bombyx, ... ... ... ... 193 
He now commends the culture of other silk-spinning species, . ... ... ... 194 
And is led to speak of the ingenious instruments with which insects are provided, ... 194 
And of their general powers and properties, ... . ... ... ... ... 195 
Something is said about their weapons, . ... ... 196 
And the malalis is spoken of, ... . . . ... ... ... 197 
CHAPTER VIII.—ON THE RENOVATION OF OUR ARTS BY THE STUDY OF THE INSECT. 
The Fine Arts would profit by a close study of the insect, ... . . ... 201 
Much might be learned, for instance, from the cockchafer’s wing, . ... ... 202 
Nature is full of suggestive beauty, ... ... . ... ... ... .203 
Observe the enamels of the cicindela, ... . ... ... . ... 204 
And those of the scarabaei, . ... ... . ... 205 
Instead of copying from antique absurdities, go then to the insect-collector’s cabinet, ... 206 
And its treasures will inspire the artist with new ideas, .207 
CHAPTER IX.—THE SPIDER—INDUSTRY—STANDING STILL. 
We come to the consideration of the spider, . .211 
Whose life is a lottery, and which is branded with ugliness, ... ... ... .212 
It is, however, the type of the persevering worker, ... . .213 
An anecdote in illustration of its character, .214 
Its web, and the mode of its construction, described, .215 
Prudence and patience the characteristics of the spider, ... ... .216 
All animals live by prey, and the spider has its foes, .217 
Its existence is confined within a narrow circle, ... ... ... . ... ... 218 
And is easily terminated, . ... ... ... . .219 
CHAPTER X.-THE HOME AND LOVES OF THE SPIDER. 
Admirable construction of its web,.223 
A glance at the retreat of the Agelena, ... . .224 
Still greater ingenuity is shown by the Mygale, . .225 
In the web lurks the weaver, always expectant, . ..226 
A sensitive being, and subject to fancies of terror, . ... .227 
In his moments of love he is timorous and suspicious, .228 
How he is affected by musical sounds, . ... 229 
