[89] Inspector, No. 64.
[90] “The genus of insects called ichneumon derive their support and nourishment from other insects, some depositing their eggs in the larva, others again in the pupa, and some even in the ovum or egg itself, the contents of which, minute as they are, are sufficient to support the young larvæ until their change into their pupa state. Some deposit only one egg in a place, as the ichneumon ovulorum, and others again a great number, as ichneumon puparum, &c. but whether the egg be placed in the pupa, larva, or ovum, the destruction of the foster parent is inevitable. The larvæ of large moths or butterflies that have been wounded by an ichneumon, live and feed, though with evident marks of disease, until those parasites are full fed, and able to change into their second or pupa state.” See Observations on the Œconomy of the Ichneumon Manifestator, in the Transactions of the Linnean Society, vol. 3, p. 23 & seq. by T. Marsham, Esq. Sec. L. S. Edit.
Of this strange scene it is difficult for us to form a proper judgment; we are unacquainted with the organs of the caterpillar, ignorant of the nature of its sensations, and therefore we cannot be assured what may be the effects of that which we see it suffer. “It is wisdom to suppose we are ignorant, while we know the Creator cannot be cruel.” From revelation we learn, that man is the mean through which life is conveyed to the creatures of this lower world; that by sinking into error, and fostering evil, he perverts his own life, and corrupts all that which proceeds from him: so that the effects are the same on the orders beneath him, as would arise to the world if a continual cloud was placed between us and the sun, depriving us at once of the salutary effects of its invigorating heat and cheering light. Hence there is in this degraded world an obscure and melancholy shade cast over all the beauties of creation.
Lastly, the number of insects which feed upon others, nay, some even upon their own species, is very great: it is among these that we find the traces of the greatest art and cunning, as well in attack as defence; some indeed use main force alone. Most persons are acquainted with the dexterous arts of the spider, the curious construction of the web he spins, and the central position he takes, in order to watch more effectually the least motion that may be communicated to its tender net. Those who wish to pursue this subject further, will find ample satisfaction by consulting the works of Reaumur and De Geer.
OF THE HABITATION OF INSECTS.
Insects may be divided, with respect to their habitations, into two classes, aquatic and terrestrial.
Stagnant waters are generally filled with insects, who live therein in different manners. These are, 1. Aquatic insects which remain always on the superficies of the water, or which at least plunge themselves therein but rarely. 2. Others that live only in the water, and cannot subsist out of it. 3. Many, after having lived in the water while in the larva and pupa state, quit it afterwards with wings, and become entirely terrestrial. 4. Some undergo all their transformations in the water, and then become amphibious. 5. Others again are born and grow in the water, but undergo their pupa state on dry land, and after they are arrived at their perfect state, live equally in air and water; and 6. There are some who live at the same time part in the water and part on land, but after their transformation cease to be aquatic.
Among the insects which remain on the superficies of the water, are some spiders, which run with great address and agility, without moistening their feet or their body; when they repose themselves, they extend their feet as much as possible. There are also aquatic bugs, which swim, or rather run on the water with great velocity, and by troops; another bug walks very slowly on the water; the gyrinus moves very swiftly, and in circles. There is a species of podura[91] which live in society, and are often accumulated together in little black lumps. Those insects which always live in the water are generally born with the figure which they retain during their whole lives, as the monoculi, crabs, several kinds of water mites, &c.
[91] De Geer Discours sur les Insectes, tom. 2, p. 103.
Those insects which, after having lived in the water, leave it when in a winged state, are very numerous: among these we may reckon the libellula, the ephemera, the phryganea, culices, tipulæ, and some species of muscæ. All these, when in the larva and pupa state, live in the water; but when they have assumed their perfect form, are entirely terrestrial, and would perish in their former element.