[m] It will in some Measure appear, how wonderfully minute some microscopical Animalcules are, by what follows in [the next Note]. But because more particular Examples would be endless, I shall refer to the Observations of Mr. Leuwenhoeck, and others, in the Philos. Trans. and elsewhere.
[n] It is almost impossible, by Reason of their perpetual Motion, and changing Places, to count the Number of the Animalcules, in only a Drop of the green Scum upon Water; but I guess I have sometimes seen not fewer than 100 frisking about in a Drop no bigger than a Pin’s Head. But in such a Drop of Pepper-water, a far greater Number; these being much less than those.
CHAP. V.
The Sagacity of Insects to secure themselves against Winter.
It is an extraordinary Act of Instinct and Sagacity, observable in the generality of the Insect-Tribe, that they all take Care to secure themselves, and provide against the Necessities of Winter. That when the Distresses of Cold and Wet force them, they should retire to warm and dry Places of Safety, is not strange; but it is a prodigious Act of the infinite Conservator’s Care to enable some to live in a different Kind of Insect-State; others to live, as without Action, so without Food; and others that act and eat, to lay up in Summer sufficient Provisions against the approaching Winter. Some, I say, live in a different State. For having sufficiently fed, nourished, and bred up themselves to the Perfection of their Vermicular, Nympha-State, in the Summer-Months, they then retire to Places of Safety, and there throw off their Nympha, and put on their Aurelia or Chrysalis-State for all the Winter, in which there are no Occasions for Food. This is the constant Method of many Families of the Insect-Tribe[a].
But there are others, and some of them in their most perfect State too, that are able to subsist in a kind of Torpitude or Sleeping State, without any Food at all; by Reason as there is no Action so no Waste of Body, no Expence of Spirits, and therefore no need of Food[].
But for others that move and act, and need Food, it is a prodigious Instinct and Foresight the Creator hath imprinted on them, to lay up sufficient Food in Summer for the Winter’s[c] Necessities and Occasions. And it is very pretty to see with what unwearied Diligence all Hands are at work for that Purpose, all the warmer Months. Of this the Holy Scripture it self gives us an Instance in the Ant, calling that little Animal exceeding wise, Prov. xxx. 24. And the Reason is, ℣. 25. The Ants are a People not strong, yet they prepare their Meat in the Summer. And therefore Solomon sends the Sluggard to this little contemptible Creature, to learn Wisdom, Foresight, Care and Diligence, Prov. vi. 6, 7, 8. Go to the Ant, thou Sluggard, consider her Ways, and be wise: which having no Guide, Overseer, or Ruler, provideth her Meat in the Summer, and gathereth her Food in the Harvest.
To this Scriptural Example, give me leave to anticipate, and subjoin an Observation of the farther great Wisdom of this little Creature; and that is their unparallelled Στοργὴ, their Tenderness, Sagacity, and Diligence about their Young[d]. ’Tis very diverting, as well as admirable to see, with what Affection and Care they carry about their Young in their Mouths, how they expose themselves to the greatest Dangers, rather than leave their Young exposed or forsaken; how they remove them from Place to Place in their little Hills, sometimes to this Part, sometimes to that, for the Benefit of convenient Warmth, and proper Moisture; and then again withdraw, and guard them against Rain and Cold. Now that this great Wisdom which the Scriptures attribute unto, and is discernible in this little Animal, is owing only to the Instinct, or Infusions of the great Conservator of the World, is evident, because either this Wisdom, Thought, and Forecast, is an Act of the Animal it self, or of some other Being that hath Wisdom. But the Animal being irrational, ’tis impossible it can be its own Act, but must be derived, or received from some wise Being. And who? What can that be, but the infinite Lord, Conservator and Governour of all the World?