The history of insects - History - Google Bøker

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CONTENTS.

Attention given to Insects in Early Times-Effect of the Invention of

the Microscope-Progress of Entomology in the eighteenth Century-

Adaptation of its Study to Improvement as well as Amusement-The

Term "Insect" defined-Comparison of the Number of these Crea-

tures with that of Plants-Each one is the Work of God-Science may

become the Handmaid of Religion-Beauty and Splendour of Insects-

Incredible Number of Butterflies in Africa-Phosphorescence of In-

sects-The Fire-fly-The Lantern-fly

Page

Changes experienced by Insects-The Caterpillar in a nut-Progress

of One to a Butterfly-Rapid Metamorphosis-Instinct of Insects

illustrated by striking Facts-Annoyance produced by Insects-Their

Ravages in Wheat-The Exposure of that Grain to Attack, in various

circumstances-Destruction of thousands of Acres of Pine Trees by

Insects-Manuscripts and Books destroyed by Ants-Remarkable

Depredations of white Ants-Injury done by Insects to a British Ship

of the Line-Benefits conferred by Wood-destroying Insects-Obliga-

tions of Man to inferior Creatures-Products of Insects of great Utility

-Important Services rendered by them in the removal of putrid

Substances-Other advantages conferred by them-Necessity of Humi-

Wisdom of God apparent in minute Beings-Structure of Insects-The
Skin-The Head-The Mandibles-The Maxilla-The Palpi-The
labial Palpi-The Trunk-The Wing-cases-The Wings-The Abdomen
-The works of the Jet Ant-Skill of the Rose-cutter Bee-Tubular
Tongue of sucking Insects-The Antennæ, or Horns-Their varied
Structure Their Use as a Means of Communication-Eyes of In-
sects-Wonders of their Vision-Scales on the Wings of Butterflies,
Sphinges, and Moths-Comparison of them with Mosaic Work

Muscles of Insects-Their amazing Power-Nerves of Insects-Their
Senses of Smell and Taste illustrated-Removal of Bees in Egypt and

29

other Parts of the Earth-Circulation of Insects-Observations of Mr.

Bowerbank-The Alimentary Canal-A small Gizzard, with four

hundred Pairs of Teeth-Tubes for Respiration-Breathing Organ of

the Grub of the Chameleon Fly-Augur of the Cicada-Curious Instru-

ment of the Saw-fly-Galls of Insects-Provision for the Security of

these creatures-Some imitate in Appearance, dry Leaves-Every

Insect fitted for its Place-Wisdom united with Goodness-Their Har-

mony peculiarly apparent in the Gospel

Provision made by Insects for their future Young-The Ovipositor de-

scribed-Apples of Sodom the Work of Insects-Eggs covered with Hair

stripped by Moths from their Bodies-Singular Egg-pouch of the

Great Water-beetle-Egg-case of a wandering Spider-Various forms

of Eggs-Diversity in their Colour-The Eggs of the Lackey-moth-

Formation by the Gnat of a Boat of Eggs-Fertility of Insects

The Caterpillar-Hairs of Insects-Some of them are feathered-Colour

of Caterpillars-Some take the hue of the Plant on which they feed-

Caterpillar of the Dragon-fly-Its extraordinary Motion-Its curious

Mask-Motions of Caterpillars-Remarkable Structure of some of these

Creatures-Casting of the Skin-Moult of a common Grub-Age of

Caterpillars-The great End of Life

Astonishing Skill of Insects in forming proper Habitations-Clothes-

Moth Caterpillars-Their Ingenuity surpassed by that of the Field-

moth Caterpillar-Its Manufacture of a Mantle-Caddis-worms, and

their Dwellings-Specific Gravity illustrated-Appearance of Science

in the Operations of Caddis-worms-Cement of their remarkable Struc-

tures-Silken Grating formed at the entrance of some of them

Social Caterpillars-Caterpillars of the Gold-tailed-moth-Their Carpet

of Silk-Singular Processions of Caterpillars-Leaf-rolling Caterpillars 119

Caterpillars preceded Men in the Art of Spinning-Its early History-

Variety in Cocoons, as Silk, Wood, Bark, and Earth-Great Ingenuity

of some Insects-Extraordinary Movements of one little Creature-

Silken Ladders of Caterpillars-The Spinning of the Caterpillar at

once perfect, that of Man slowly improved-Inventions of modern

The Operations of Insects lead us to God-The Silk-worm-Its Structure -

Process of Spinning-Formation of the Cocoon-Changes of the Cater-

pillar-Silk-spinning Spider-Many Fibres in a single Thread-The

Silk-worm of the Sea-Articles of Dress formed from the Threads of

Pinnæ-Fishing for Pinnæ on the Coasts of Sardinia and Corsica-

Early Manufacture of Silk-Its Introduction into Europe-The Silk-

mill at Derby-An Interesting Narrative-Voracity of Insects

Preparations of the Caterpillar for its Change-Retreats for repose and

defence Curious Process of Suspension-First Movements of the

Chrysalis-Complete Adaptation of the Creature to its circumstances

-Some Creatures form a Girth-Vertical and Horizontal Suspension

may be easily observed-Peculiar forms of Pupæ-Colours and gilded

Appearance of some Chrysalises-Changes through which we must

pass-Paul Preaching at Athens-The Resurrection of the Body

Wonders of Insect Transformation-The Butterfly visible in the Chry-
salis-First exclusion of the Pupa-Various Periods required to arrive

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