Chapter 39

CHAP. XIII.Of the Houses and Habitation of Animals.

Of the Houses and Habitation of Animals.

Having in the last Chapter, as briefly as well I could, surveyed theCloathingof Animals, I shall in this take a View of theirHouses,Nests, theirCellsandHabitations; another Thing no less necessary to their Well-being than the last; and in which the Great Creator hath likewise signalized his Care and Skill, by giving Animals an architectonick Faculty, to build themselves convenient Places of Retirement, in which to repose and secure themselves, and to nurse up their Young.

And here, as before, we may consider the case of Man, and that of the irrational Animals. Man having (as I said) the Gift of Reason and Understanding, is able to shift for himself, to contrive and build, as his Pleasure leads him, and his Abilities will admit of. From the meanest Huts and Cottages, he can erect himself stately Buildings, bedeck them with exquisite Arts of Architecture, Painting, and other Garniture, ennoble them, and render them delightful with pleasant Gardens, Fountains, Avenues, and what not? For Man therefore the Creator hath abundantly provided in this respect, by giving him an Ability to help himself. And a wise Provision this is, inasmuch as it is an excellent Exercise of the Wit, the Ingenuity, the Industry and Care of Man.

But since Ingenuity, without Materials, would be fruitless, the Materials therefore which the Creator hath provided the World with, for this very Service of Building, deserves our Notice. Thegreat Varieties of Trees[a], Earth, Stones and Plants, answering every Occasion and Purpose of Man for this Use, in all Ages and Places all the World over, is a great Act of the Creator’s Goodness; as manifesting, that since he has left Man to shift for himself, it should not be without sufficient Help to enable him to do so, if he would but make use of them, and the Sense and Reason which God hath given him.

Thus sufficient Provision is made for the Habitation of Man.

And no less shall we find is made for the rest of the Creatures; who although they want the Power of Reason to vary their Methods, and cannot add to, or diminish from, or any way make Improvements upon their natural Way; yet we find that natural Instinct, which the Creator’s infinite Understanding hath imprinted in them, to be abundantly sufficient, nay, in all Probability, the very best or only Method they can take, or that can be invented for the respective Use and Purpose of each peculiar Species of Animals[b]. If some Creatures make their Nests in Holes, some in Trees,some in Shrubs, some in the Earth[c], some in Stone, some in the Waters, some here, and some there, or have none at all; yet we find, that that Place, that Method of Nidification doth abundantly answer the Creatures Use and Occasions. They can there sufficiently and well repose, and secure themselves, lay, and breed up their Young. We are so far from discovering any Inconvenience in any of their respective Ways, from perceiving any Loss befal the Species, any decay, any perishing of their Young; that in all Probability, on thecontrary, in that particular Way they better thrive, are more secure, and better able to shift for, and help themselves. If, for Instance, some Beasts make to themselves no Habitation, but lie abroad in the open Air, and there produce their Young; in this case we find there is no need it should be otherwise, by Reason they are either taken care of by Man[d], or in no Danger, as other Creatures, from Abroad. If others reposite their Young in Holes[e]and Dens, and secure themselves also therein, it is, because such Guard, such Security is wanting, their Lives being sought either by the Hostility of Man, or to satisfie the Appetite of rapacious Creatures[f]. If among Birds, some build their Nests close, some open, some with this, some with another Material, some in Holes, some in Trees, some on the Ground[g], some on Rocks and Crags on high (of which God himself hathgiven an Instance in theEagle, Job xxxix. 27, 28.) And so among the Insect and Reptile Kinds, if some reposite their Eggs or Young in the Earth, some in Wood, some in Stone, some on one Kind of Plant, some on another, some in warm and dry Places, some in the Water and moist Places, and some in their own Bodies only, as shall be shewn in proper Place; in all these Cases it is in all Probability, the best or only Method the Animal can take for the Hatching and Production of its Young, for their Supplies, Safety, or some other main Point of their Being or Well-being. This is manifest enough in many Cases, and therefore probable in all. It is manifest that such Animals, for Instance, as breed in the Waters (as not only Fish, but divers Insects, and other Land-Animals do) that their Young cannot be hatched, fed, or nursed up in any other Element. It is manifest also, that Insects, which lay their Eggs on this, and that, and the other agreeable Tree, or Plant, or in Flesh,&c.that it is by that Means their Young are fed and nursed up. And it is little to be doubted also, but that these Matrixes may much conduce to the Maturation and Production of the Young. And so in all other the like Cases of Nidification, of Heat or Cold, Wet or Dry, Exposed or Open, in all Probability this is the best Method for the Animal’s Good, most salutary and agreeable to its Nature, most for its Fecundity, and the Continuance and Increase of its Species; to which every Species of Animals is naturally prompt and inclined.

Thus admirable is the natural Sagacity andInstinct[h]of the irrational Animals in the Convenience and Method of their Habitations. And no less is it in the Fabrick of them. Their architectonick Skill, exerted in the Curiosity and Dexterity of their Works, and exceeding the Skill of Man to imitate; this, I say, deserves as much or more Admiration and Praise, than that of the most exquisite Artist among Men. For with what inimitable Art[i]do these poor untaught Creatures lay a parcel of rude and ugly Sticks and Straws, Moss and Dirt together, and form them into commodious Nests? With what Curiosity do they line them within, wind and place every Hair, Feather, or Lock of Wool, to guard the tender Bodies of themselves and their Young, and to keep them warm? And with what Art and Craft do many of them thatch over, and coat their Nests without, to dodge and deceive the Eye of Spectators, as well as to guard and fence against the Injuries of Weather[k]? With what prodigious Subtilty dosome foreign Birds[l]not only plat and weave the fibrous Parts of Vegetables together, and curiously tunnel them, and commodiously form them into Nests, but also artificially suspend them on the tender Twigs of Trees, to keep them out of the reach of rapacious Animals?

And so forInsects, those little, weak, those tender Creatures; yet, what admirable Artists are they in this Business of Nidification! With what great Diligence doth the littleBeegather its Combs from various Trees[m]and Flowers, theWaspfrom solid[n]Timber! And with what prodigious geometrical Subtilty do those little Animals work their deep hexagonal Cells, the only proper Figure that the best Mathematician could chuse for such a Combination of Houses[o]! With what Accuracy do other Insects perforate the Earth[p], Wood, yea, Stone it self[q]! For which Service, the compleat Apparatus of their Mouths[r], and Feet[s], deserves particular Observation, as hathbeen, and will be hereafter observ’d. And further yet; With what Care and Neatness do most of those little sagacious Animals line those their Houses within, and seal them up, and fence them without[t]! How artificially will others fold up the Leaves of Trees and Plants[u]; others house themselves in Sticks and Straws; others glue light and floating Bodies together[w], and by that Artifice make themselves floating Houses in the Waters,to transport themselves at Pleasure after their Food, or other necessary Occasions of Life! And for a Close, let us take the scriptural Instance of theSpider, Prov. xxx. 28. which is one of the four little Things, which, v. 44.Agursays, isexceeding Wise: The Spider taketh hold with her Hands, and is in Kings Palaces[x]. I will not dispute the Truth of ourEnglishTranslation of this Text, but supposing the Animal mention’d to be that which is meant; it is manifest, that the Art of that Species of Creatures, in spinning their various Webs, and the Furniture their Bodies afford to that Purpose, are an excellent Instinct, and Provision of Nature, setting forth its glorious Author.

And now from this short and transient View of the architectonick Faculty of Animals, especially the Irrationals; we may easily perceive some superiour and wise Being was certainly concern’d in their Creation or Original. For, how is it possible that an irrational Creature should, with ordinary and coarse, or indeed any Materials, be ever able to perform such Works, as exceed even the Imitation of a rational Creature? How could the Bodies of many of them, (particularly the last mention’d,) be furnish’d with architective Materials?How could they ever discover them to be in their Bodies, or know what Use to make of them? We must therefore necessarily conclude, That the Irrationals either have Reason and Judgment, not only Glimmerings thereof, but some of its superiour Acts, as Wisdom and Foresight, Discretion, Art and Care; or else, that they are only passive in the Case, and act by Instinct, or by the Reason of some superiour Being imprinted in their Nature, or some Way or other, (be it how it will,) congenial with them. That they are Rational, or excel Man in Art and Wisdom, none surely will be so foolish as to say: And therefore we must conclude, That those excellent Ends they pursue, and that admirable Art they exert, is none of their own, but owing to that infinitely wise and excellent Being, of whom it may be said, with reference to the irrational, as well as rational Creatures, as it is,Prov. ii.6.The Lord giveth Wisdom; out of his Mouth cometh Knowledge and Understanding.

FOOTNOTES:[a]——Dant utile lignumNavigiis Pinos, domibus Cedrosque, Cupressosque:Hinc radios trivere Rotis, hinc tympana plaustrisAgricolæ, & pandas ratibus posuere carinas.Viminibus Salices fœcundæ, frondibus Ulmi;At Myrtus validis hastilibus, & bona bello,Cornus; Ityræos Taxi torquentur in arcus.Nec Tiliæ leves, aut torno rasile Buxum,Non formam accipiunt, ferroque cavantur acuto:Necnon & torrentum undam levis innatat AlnusMissa Pado: necnon & apes examina conduntCorticibusque cavis, vitiosæque Ilicis alveo.Virg. Georg. l. 2. carm. 442.[b]SeeChap. 15.andBook VIII. Chap. 6.[c]Many of theVespæ-Ichneumonesare remarkable enough for their Nidification and Provision for their Young. Those that build in Earth (who commonly have golden and black Rings round theirAlvi) having lined the little Cells, they have perforated, lay therein their Eggs, and then carry into them Maggots from the Leaves of Trees, and seal them up close and neatly. And anotherIchneumon, more of theVespathanMusca-IchneumonKind (having a little Sting in its Tail, of a black Colour) gave me the Pleasure, one Summer, of seeing it build its Nest in a little Hole in my Study-Window. This Cell was coated about with an odoriferous, resinous Gum, collected, I suppose, from some Fir-Trees near; after which it laid two Eggs (I think the Number was) and then carried in divers Maggots, some bigger than it self. These it very sagaciously sealed close up into the Nest, leaving them there doubtless, partly to assist the Incubation; and especially for Food to the future Young when hatched.Of this Artifice of theseIchneumons,Aristotlehimself takes Notice, (but I believe he was scarce aware of the Eggs sealed up with the Spiders). Ὁι δὲ Σφῆκες Ιχνεύμονες καλούμενοι, &c.As to theVespæ, calledIchneumones, (less than others) they killSpiders, and carry them into their Holes, and having sealed them up with Dirt, they therein hatch, and produce those of the same Kind.Hist. Anim. l. 5. c. 20.To what hath been said about theseIchneumon Wasps, I shall add one Observation more, concerning the providential Structure of their Mouth in every of their Tribes,viz.their Jaws are not only very strong, but nicely sized, curved and placed for gnawing and scraping those compleat little Holes they perforate in Earth, Wood, yea in Stone it self.[d]Tullyhaving spoken of the Care of some Animals towards their Young, by which they are nursed and brought up, saith,Accedit etiam ad nonnulloram animantium, & earum rerum quas terra gignit, conservationem, & salutem, hominum etiam solertia & diligentia. Nam multæ & pecudes, & stirpes sunt, quæ fine procuratione hominum salvæ esse non possunt.Cic. de Nat. Deor. l. 2. c. 52.[e]Prov. xxx. 26.The Conies are but a feeble Folk, yet make they their Houses in the Rocks.[f]SeeNote (l).[g]It is a notable Instinct whichOl. Magnustells of theGalli Sylvestresin his Northern Country, to secure themselves against the Cold and Storms of the Winter.Cùm nives instar collium terræ superficiem ubique cooperiunt, ramosque arborum diutiùs deprimunt & condensant, certos fructus Betulæ arboris——in formâ longi Piperis vorant, & glutiunt indigestos; idque tantâ aviditate, ac quantitate, ut repletum guttur toto corpore majus appareat. Deinde partitis agminibus sese inter medios nivium colles immergunt, præfortim in Jan. Febr. Martio, quando nives ut turbines, typhones, vel tempestates gravissimæ è nubibus descendunt. Cumque coopertæ sunt, certis hebdomadis cibo in gutture collecto, egesto, & resumpto vivunt. Venatorum canibus non produntur.——Quod si præsentiunt nivem imminere majorem, prædicto fructu, iterum devorato, aliud domicilium captant, in eoque manent usque ad sinem Martii,&c.Ol. Mag. Hist. l. 19. c. 33.[h]It is a very odd Story (which I rather mention for the Reader’s Diversion, than for its Truth) which Dr.Lud. de Beaufortrelates,Vir fide dignus narravit mihi, quod cùm semel, animi gratiâ, nidum aviculæ ligno obturâsset, seque occultâsset, cupidus videndi, quid in tali occasione præstaret; illa cùm frustra sæpiùs tentâsset rostro illud auferre, casus admodum impatiens, abiit, & post aliquod temporis spatium reversa est, rostro gerens plantulam, quâ obturamento applicatâ, paulò post, illud veluti telum eripuit tantâ vi, ut dispersa impetu herbula, ac occasionem ipsi, ab aviculâ ejus virtutem discendi, præripuerit.Cosmop. divina, Sect. 5. C. 1. Had he told us what the Plant was, we might have given better Credit to this Story.[i]Of the Subtilty of Birds in Nidification, seePlin. Nat. Hist. l. 10. c. 33.[k]Among many Instances that might be given of this Subtilty of birds, and other Creatures, that of thelong-tailed Titmousedeserves Observation, who with great Art builds her Nest with Mosses, Hair, and the Webs ofSpiders, cast out from them when they take their Flight (seeBook VIII. Chap. 4. Note (e)) with which the other Materials are strongly tied together. Having neatly built, and covered her Nest with these Materials without; she thatcheth it on the top with theMuscus arboreus ramosus, or such like broad, whitish Moss, to keep out Rain, and to dodge the Spectator’s Eye; and within she lineth it with a great Number of soft Feathers; so many, that I confess I could not but admire how so small a Room could hold them, especially that they could be laid so close and handsomely together, to afford sufficient Room for a Bird with so long a Tail, and so numerous an Issue as this Bird commonly hath, which Mr.Raysaith (Synops. Method. Avium, p. 74.)Ova inter omnes aviculas numerosissima ponit.See more of the Nest of this Bird, fromAldrovand.inWillugh. Ornith.p. 243.[l]The Nest of theGuira tangeima, theicterus minor, and theJupujuba, or whatever other Name theAmerican Hang-Nestsmay be called by, are of this Kind. Of which seeWillughby’sOrnith. Lib. 2. Chap. 5. Sect. 12, 13.Also Dr.Grew’sMuseum Reg. Soc. Part 1. Sect. 4. Chap. 4.These Nests I have divers Times seen, particularly in great Perfection in ourR. S.Repository, and in the noble and well-furnishedMuseumof my often-commended Friend SirHans Sloane; and at the same Time I could not but admire at the neat Mechanism of them, and the Sagacity of the Bird, in hanging them on the Twigs of Trees, to secure their Eggs and Young from theApes.[m]I mention Trees, because I have seenBeesgather the Gum of Fir-Trees, which at the same Time gave me the Pleasure of seeing their way of loading their Thighs therewith; performed with great Art and Dexterity.[n]Wasps, at their first Coming, may be observ’d to frequent Posts, Boards, and other Wood that is dry and sound; but never any that is rotten. There they may be heard to scrape and gnaw; and what they so gnaw off, they heap close together between their Chin and Fore-Legs, until they have gotten enough for a Burden, which they then carry away in their Mouths, to make their Cells with.[o]Circular Cells would have been the most capacious; but this would by no Means have been a convenient Figure, by Reason much of the Room would have been taken up by Vacancies between the Circles; therefore it was necessary to make Use of some of the rectilinear Figures. Among which only three could be of Use; of whichPappus Alexandrin. thus discourseth;Cùm igitur tres figuræ sunt, quæ per seipsas locum circa idem punctum consistentem replere possunt, Triangulum seil. Quadratum & Hexagonum, Apes illam quæ ex pluribus angulis constat sapienter delegerunt, utpote suspicantes eam plus mellis capere quàm utramvis reliquarum. At Apes quidem illud tantùm quod ipsis utile est cognoscunt, viz. Hexagonum Quadrato & Triangulo esse majus & plus Mellis capere posse, nimirum æquali materiâ in constructionem uniuscujusque consumptâ. Nos verò qui plus sapientiæ quàm Apes habere profitemur, aliquid etiam magìs insigne investigabimus.Collect. Math. l. 5.[p]See beforeNote (c).[q]SeeChap. 11. Note (x).[r]SeeChap. 11. Note (y).[s]Among many Examples, the Legs and Feet of theMole-Cricket, (Gryllotalpa,) are very remarkable. The Fore-Legs are very brawny and strong; and the Feet armed each with four flat strong Claws, together with a small Lamina, with two larger Claws, and a third with two little Claws: Which Lamina is joynted to the Bottom of the Foot, to be extended, to make the Foot wider, or withdrawn within the Foot. These Feet are placed to scratch somewhat sideways as well as downward, after the Manner ofMolesFeet; and they are very like them also in Figure.Somewhat of this Nature,Swammerdamobserves of the Worms of theEphemeron.To this Purpose,[to dig their Cells,]the wise Creator hath furnish’d them, (saith he,)with fit Members. For, besides that their two Fore-Legs are formed somewhat like those of the ordinaryMoles, orGryllotalpa; he hath also furnish’d them with two toothy Cheeks, somewhat like the Sheers ofLobsters, which serve them more readily to bore the Clay.Swammerdam’s Ephem. Vit. Publish’d by Dr.Tyson, Chap. 3.[t]See the before-citedNote (c).[u]They are for the most Part, some of thePhalænæ-Tribe, which inhabit the tunnelled, convolved Leaves, that we meet with on Vegetables in the Spring and Summer. And it is a somewhat wonderful Artifice, how so small and weak a Creature, as one of those newly-hatch’d Maggots, (for doubtless it is they, not the Parent-Animal, because she emits no Web, nor hath any tectrine Art,) can be able to convolve the stubborn Leaf, and then bind it in that neat round Form, with the Thread or Web it weaves from its own Body; with which it commonly lines the convolved Leaf, and stops up the two Ends, to prevent its own falling out; andEarwigs, and other noxious Animals getting in.[w]The several Sorts ofPhryganea, orCadews, in theirNympha, orMaggot-state, thus house themselves; one Sort in Straws, call’d from thenceStraw-Worms; others in two or more Sticks, laid parallel to one another, creeping at the Bottom of Brooks; others with a small Bundle of Pieces of Rushes, Duck-weed, Sticks,&c.glu’d together, where-with they float on the Top, and can row themselves therein about the Waters, with the Help of their Feet: Both these are call’dCob-bait. Divers other Sorts there are, which the Readermaysee a Summary of, from MrWillughby, inRaii Method. Insect.p. 12. together with a good, though very brief Description of thePapilionaceousFly, that comes from theCod-bait Cadew. It is a notable architectonick Faculty, which all the Variety of these Animals have, to gather such Bodies as are fittest for their Purpose, and then to glue them together; some to be heavier than Water, that the Animal may remain at the Bottom, where its Food is; (for which Purpose they use Stones, together with Sticks, Rushes,&c.) and some to be lighter than Water, to float on the Top, and gather its Food from thence. These little Houses look coarse and shew no great Artifice outwardly; but are well tunnelled, and made within with a hard tough Paste; into which the hinder Part of the Maggot is so fix’d, that it can draw its Cell after it any where, without Danger of leaving it behind; as also thrust its Body out, to reach what it wanteth; or withdraw it into its Cell, to guard it against Harms.[x]Having mention’d theSpider, I shall take this Occasion, (although it be out of the Way,) to give an Instance of the Poyson of some of them.Scaliger Exerc. 186. relates, That inGascony, his Country, there areSpidersof that virulency, that if a Man treads upon them, to crush them, their Poyson will pass through the very Soles of his Shoe.Boyl. Subtil. of Effluv. c. 4.Mr.Leewenhoekput aFrogand aSpidertogether into a Glass, and having made theSpidersting theFrogdivers Times, theFrogdy’d in about an Hour’s Time.Phil. Trans.Nᵒ. 272.In the sameTransaction, is a curious Account of the Manner howSpiderslay, and guard their eggs,viz.they emit them not out of the hindermost Part of the Body, but under the upper Part of her Belly, near the Hind-Legs,&c.Also there is an Account of the Parts from which they emit their Webs, and divers other Things worth Observation, with Cuts illustrating the Whole.But inPhil. Trans.Nᵒ. 22. Dr.Nath. Fairfax, fromS. Redi, and his own Observations, thinksSpidersnot venomous; several Persons, as well as Birds, swallowing them without Hurt: Which I my self have known in a Person of Learning, who was advis’d to take them medicinally at first, and would at any Time swallow them, affirming them to be sweet, and well tasted: And not only innocuous, but they are very salutiferous too, in some of the most stubborn Diseases, if the pleasant Story inMouffetbe true; of a richLondonMatron, cur’d of a desperateTympany, by a certain Debauchee, that hearing of her Case, and that she was given over by the Doctors, went to her, pretending to be a Physician, and confidently affirming he would cure her; which she being willing to believe, agrees with him for so much Money, one half to be paid down, the other upon Cure. Upon which he gives her aSpider, promising her Cure in three Days. Upon which, (not doubting but that he had poison’d her, and fearing he might be call’d to account for it,) he gets out of Town as fast as he could. But instead of being poison’d, she soon recover’d. After some Months, the Quack gets privately to Town, when he thought the Bustle might be over; and enquiring how his Patient did, was inform’d of her Cure; and thereupon visiting her, and making an Excuse for his Absence, he receiv’d his Pay with great Applause and Thanks.Mouff. Insect. l. 2. c. 15.Having said so much ofSpiders, I might here add their Flight: But of this, seeBook VIII. Chap. 4. Note (e).

[a]——Dant utile lignumNavigiis Pinos, domibus Cedrosque, Cupressosque:Hinc radios trivere Rotis, hinc tympana plaustrisAgricolæ, & pandas ratibus posuere carinas.Viminibus Salices fœcundæ, frondibus Ulmi;At Myrtus validis hastilibus, & bona bello,Cornus; Ityræos Taxi torquentur in arcus.Nec Tiliæ leves, aut torno rasile Buxum,Non formam accipiunt, ferroque cavantur acuto:Necnon & torrentum undam levis innatat AlnusMissa Pado: necnon & apes examina conduntCorticibusque cavis, vitiosæque Ilicis alveo.Virg. Georg. l. 2. carm. 442.

[a]

——Dant utile lignumNavigiis Pinos, domibus Cedrosque, Cupressosque:Hinc radios trivere Rotis, hinc tympana plaustrisAgricolæ, & pandas ratibus posuere carinas.Viminibus Salices fœcundæ, frondibus Ulmi;At Myrtus validis hastilibus, & bona bello,Cornus; Ityræos Taxi torquentur in arcus.Nec Tiliæ leves, aut torno rasile Buxum,Non formam accipiunt, ferroque cavantur acuto:Necnon & torrentum undam levis innatat AlnusMissa Pado: necnon & apes examina conduntCorticibusque cavis, vitiosæque Ilicis alveo.Virg. Georg. l. 2. carm. 442.

——Dant utile lignum

Navigiis Pinos, domibus Cedrosque, Cupressosque:

Hinc radios trivere Rotis, hinc tympana plaustris

Agricolæ, & pandas ratibus posuere carinas.

Viminibus Salices fœcundæ, frondibus Ulmi;

At Myrtus validis hastilibus, & bona bello,

Cornus; Ityræos Taxi torquentur in arcus.

Nec Tiliæ leves, aut torno rasile Buxum,

Non formam accipiunt, ferroque cavantur acuto:

Necnon & torrentum undam levis innatat Alnus

Missa Pado: necnon & apes examina condunt

Corticibusque cavis, vitiosæque Ilicis alveo.

Virg. Georg. l. 2. carm. 442.

[b]SeeChap. 15.andBook VIII. Chap. 6.

[c]Many of theVespæ-Ichneumonesare remarkable enough for their Nidification and Provision for their Young. Those that build in Earth (who commonly have golden and black Rings round theirAlvi) having lined the little Cells, they have perforated, lay therein their Eggs, and then carry into them Maggots from the Leaves of Trees, and seal them up close and neatly. And anotherIchneumon, more of theVespathanMusca-IchneumonKind (having a little Sting in its Tail, of a black Colour) gave me the Pleasure, one Summer, of seeing it build its Nest in a little Hole in my Study-Window. This Cell was coated about with an odoriferous, resinous Gum, collected, I suppose, from some Fir-Trees near; after which it laid two Eggs (I think the Number was) and then carried in divers Maggots, some bigger than it self. These it very sagaciously sealed close up into the Nest, leaving them there doubtless, partly to assist the Incubation; and especially for Food to the future Young when hatched.Of this Artifice of theseIchneumons,Aristotlehimself takes Notice, (but I believe he was scarce aware of the Eggs sealed up with the Spiders). Ὁι δὲ Σφῆκες Ιχνεύμονες καλούμενοι, &c.As to theVespæ, calledIchneumones, (less than others) they killSpiders, and carry them into their Holes, and having sealed them up with Dirt, they therein hatch, and produce those of the same Kind.Hist. Anim. l. 5. c. 20.To what hath been said about theseIchneumon Wasps, I shall add one Observation more, concerning the providential Structure of their Mouth in every of their Tribes,viz.their Jaws are not only very strong, but nicely sized, curved and placed for gnawing and scraping those compleat little Holes they perforate in Earth, Wood, yea in Stone it self.

Of this Artifice of theseIchneumons,Aristotlehimself takes Notice, (but I believe he was scarce aware of the Eggs sealed up with the Spiders). Ὁι δὲ Σφῆκες Ιχνεύμονες καλούμενοι, &c.As to theVespæ, calledIchneumones, (less than others) they killSpiders, and carry them into their Holes, and having sealed them up with Dirt, they therein hatch, and produce those of the same Kind.Hist. Anim. l. 5. c. 20.

To what hath been said about theseIchneumon Wasps, I shall add one Observation more, concerning the providential Structure of their Mouth in every of their Tribes,viz.their Jaws are not only very strong, but nicely sized, curved and placed for gnawing and scraping those compleat little Holes they perforate in Earth, Wood, yea in Stone it self.

[d]Tullyhaving spoken of the Care of some Animals towards their Young, by which they are nursed and brought up, saith,Accedit etiam ad nonnulloram animantium, & earum rerum quas terra gignit, conservationem, & salutem, hominum etiam solertia & diligentia. Nam multæ & pecudes, & stirpes sunt, quæ fine procuratione hominum salvæ esse non possunt.Cic. de Nat. Deor. l. 2. c. 52.

[e]Prov. xxx. 26.The Conies are but a feeble Folk, yet make they their Houses in the Rocks.

[f]SeeNote (l).

[g]It is a notable Instinct whichOl. Magnustells of theGalli Sylvestresin his Northern Country, to secure themselves against the Cold and Storms of the Winter.Cùm nives instar collium terræ superficiem ubique cooperiunt, ramosque arborum diutiùs deprimunt & condensant, certos fructus Betulæ arboris——in formâ longi Piperis vorant, & glutiunt indigestos; idque tantâ aviditate, ac quantitate, ut repletum guttur toto corpore majus appareat. Deinde partitis agminibus sese inter medios nivium colles immergunt, præfortim in Jan. Febr. Martio, quando nives ut turbines, typhones, vel tempestates gravissimæ è nubibus descendunt. Cumque coopertæ sunt, certis hebdomadis cibo in gutture collecto, egesto, & resumpto vivunt. Venatorum canibus non produntur.——Quod si præsentiunt nivem imminere majorem, prædicto fructu, iterum devorato, aliud domicilium captant, in eoque manent usque ad sinem Martii,&c.Ol. Mag. Hist. l. 19. c. 33.

[h]It is a very odd Story (which I rather mention for the Reader’s Diversion, than for its Truth) which Dr.Lud. de Beaufortrelates,Vir fide dignus narravit mihi, quod cùm semel, animi gratiâ, nidum aviculæ ligno obturâsset, seque occultâsset, cupidus videndi, quid in tali occasione præstaret; illa cùm frustra sæpiùs tentâsset rostro illud auferre, casus admodum impatiens, abiit, & post aliquod temporis spatium reversa est, rostro gerens plantulam, quâ obturamento applicatâ, paulò post, illud veluti telum eripuit tantâ vi, ut dispersa impetu herbula, ac occasionem ipsi, ab aviculâ ejus virtutem discendi, præripuerit.Cosmop. divina, Sect. 5. C. 1. Had he told us what the Plant was, we might have given better Credit to this Story.

[i]Of the Subtilty of Birds in Nidification, seePlin. Nat. Hist. l. 10. c. 33.

[k]Among many Instances that might be given of this Subtilty of birds, and other Creatures, that of thelong-tailed Titmousedeserves Observation, who with great Art builds her Nest with Mosses, Hair, and the Webs ofSpiders, cast out from them when they take their Flight (seeBook VIII. Chap. 4. Note (e)) with which the other Materials are strongly tied together. Having neatly built, and covered her Nest with these Materials without; she thatcheth it on the top with theMuscus arboreus ramosus, or such like broad, whitish Moss, to keep out Rain, and to dodge the Spectator’s Eye; and within she lineth it with a great Number of soft Feathers; so many, that I confess I could not but admire how so small a Room could hold them, especially that they could be laid so close and handsomely together, to afford sufficient Room for a Bird with so long a Tail, and so numerous an Issue as this Bird commonly hath, which Mr.Raysaith (Synops. Method. Avium, p. 74.)Ova inter omnes aviculas numerosissima ponit.See more of the Nest of this Bird, fromAldrovand.inWillugh. Ornith.p. 243.

[l]The Nest of theGuira tangeima, theicterus minor, and theJupujuba, or whatever other Name theAmerican Hang-Nestsmay be called by, are of this Kind. Of which seeWillughby’sOrnith. Lib. 2. Chap. 5. Sect. 12, 13.Also Dr.Grew’sMuseum Reg. Soc. Part 1. Sect. 4. Chap. 4.These Nests I have divers Times seen, particularly in great Perfection in ourR. S.Repository, and in the noble and well-furnishedMuseumof my often-commended Friend SirHans Sloane; and at the same Time I could not but admire at the neat Mechanism of them, and the Sagacity of the Bird, in hanging them on the Twigs of Trees, to secure their Eggs and Young from theApes.

[m]I mention Trees, because I have seenBeesgather the Gum of Fir-Trees, which at the same Time gave me the Pleasure of seeing their way of loading their Thighs therewith; performed with great Art and Dexterity.

[n]Wasps, at their first Coming, may be observ’d to frequent Posts, Boards, and other Wood that is dry and sound; but never any that is rotten. There they may be heard to scrape and gnaw; and what they so gnaw off, they heap close together between their Chin and Fore-Legs, until they have gotten enough for a Burden, which they then carry away in their Mouths, to make their Cells with.

[o]Circular Cells would have been the most capacious; but this would by no Means have been a convenient Figure, by Reason much of the Room would have been taken up by Vacancies between the Circles; therefore it was necessary to make Use of some of the rectilinear Figures. Among which only three could be of Use; of whichPappus Alexandrin. thus discourseth;Cùm igitur tres figuræ sunt, quæ per seipsas locum circa idem punctum consistentem replere possunt, Triangulum seil. Quadratum & Hexagonum, Apes illam quæ ex pluribus angulis constat sapienter delegerunt, utpote suspicantes eam plus mellis capere quàm utramvis reliquarum. At Apes quidem illud tantùm quod ipsis utile est cognoscunt, viz. Hexagonum Quadrato & Triangulo esse majus & plus Mellis capere posse, nimirum æquali materiâ in constructionem uniuscujusque consumptâ. Nos verò qui plus sapientiæ quàm Apes habere profitemur, aliquid etiam magìs insigne investigabimus.Collect. Math. l. 5.

[p]See beforeNote (c).

[q]SeeChap. 11. Note (x).

[r]SeeChap. 11. Note (y).

[s]Among many Examples, the Legs and Feet of theMole-Cricket, (Gryllotalpa,) are very remarkable. The Fore-Legs are very brawny and strong; and the Feet armed each with four flat strong Claws, together with a small Lamina, with two larger Claws, and a third with two little Claws: Which Lamina is joynted to the Bottom of the Foot, to be extended, to make the Foot wider, or withdrawn within the Foot. These Feet are placed to scratch somewhat sideways as well as downward, after the Manner ofMolesFeet; and they are very like them also in Figure.Somewhat of this Nature,Swammerdamobserves of the Worms of theEphemeron.To this Purpose,[to dig their Cells,]the wise Creator hath furnish’d them, (saith he,)with fit Members. For, besides that their two Fore-Legs are formed somewhat like those of the ordinaryMoles, orGryllotalpa; he hath also furnish’d them with two toothy Cheeks, somewhat like the Sheers ofLobsters, which serve them more readily to bore the Clay.Swammerdam’s Ephem. Vit. Publish’d by Dr.Tyson, Chap. 3.

Somewhat of this Nature,Swammerdamobserves of the Worms of theEphemeron.To this Purpose,[to dig their Cells,]the wise Creator hath furnish’d them, (saith he,)with fit Members. For, besides that their two Fore-Legs are formed somewhat like those of the ordinaryMoles, orGryllotalpa; he hath also furnish’d them with two toothy Cheeks, somewhat like the Sheers ofLobsters, which serve them more readily to bore the Clay.Swammerdam’s Ephem. Vit. Publish’d by Dr.Tyson, Chap. 3.

[t]See the before-citedNote (c).

[u]They are for the most Part, some of thePhalænæ-Tribe, which inhabit the tunnelled, convolved Leaves, that we meet with on Vegetables in the Spring and Summer. And it is a somewhat wonderful Artifice, how so small and weak a Creature, as one of those newly-hatch’d Maggots, (for doubtless it is they, not the Parent-Animal, because she emits no Web, nor hath any tectrine Art,) can be able to convolve the stubborn Leaf, and then bind it in that neat round Form, with the Thread or Web it weaves from its own Body; with which it commonly lines the convolved Leaf, and stops up the two Ends, to prevent its own falling out; andEarwigs, and other noxious Animals getting in.

[w]The several Sorts ofPhryganea, orCadews, in theirNympha, orMaggot-state, thus house themselves; one Sort in Straws, call’d from thenceStraw-Worms; others in two or more Sticks, laid parallel to one another, creeping at the Bottom of Brooks; others with a small Bundle of Pieces of Rushes, Duck-weed, Sticks,&c.glu’d together, where-with they float on the Top, and can row themselves therein about the Waters, with the Help of their Feet: Both these are call’dCob-bait. Divers other Sorts there are, which the Readermaysee a Summary of, from MrWillughby, inRaii Method. Insect.p. 12. together with a good, though very brief Description of thePapilionaceousFly, that comes from theCod-bait Cadew. It is a notable architectonick Faculty, which all the Variety of these Animals have, to gather such Bodies as are fittest for their Purpose, and then to glue them together; some to be heavier than Water, that the Animal may remain at the Bottom, where its Food is; (for which Purpose they use Stones, together with Sticks, Rushes,&c.) and some to be lighter than Water, to float on the Top, and gather its Food from thence. These little Houses look coarse and shew no great Artifice outwardly; but are well tunnelled, and made within with a hard tough Paste; into which the hinder Part of the Maggot is so fix’d, that it can draw its Cell after it any where, without Danger of leaving it behind; as also thrust its Body out, to reach what it wanteth; or withdraw it into its Cell, to guard it against Harms.

[x]Having mention’d theSpider, I shall take this Occasion, (although it be out of the Way,) to give an Instance of the Poyson of some of them.Scaliger Exerc. 186. relates, That inGascony, his Country, there areSpidersof that virulency, that if a Man treads upon them, to crush them, their Poyson will pass through the very Soles of his Shoe.Boyl. Subtil. of Effluv. c. 4.Mr.Leewenhoekput aFrogand aSpidertogether into a Glass, and having made theSpidersting theFrogdivers Times, theFrogdy’d in about an Hour’s Time.Phil. Trans.Nᵒ. 272.In the sameTransaction, is a curious Account of the Manner howSpiderslay, and guard their eggs,viz.they emit them not out of the hindermost Part of the Body, but under the upper Part of her Belly, near the Hind-Legs,&c.Also there is an Account of the Parts from which they emit their Webs, and divers other Things worth Observation, with Cuts illustrating the Whole.But inPhil. Trans.Nᵒ. 22. Dr.Nath. Fairfax, fromS. Redi, and his own Observations, thinksSpidersnot venomous; several Persons, as well as Birds, swallowing them without Hurt: Which I my self have known in a Person of Learning, who was advis’d to take them medicinally at first, and would at any Time swallow them, affirming them to be sweet, and well tasted: And not only innocuous, but they are very salutiferous too, in some of the most stubborn Diseases, if the pleasant Story inMouffetbe true; of a richLondonMatron, cur’d of a desperateTympany, by a certain Debauchee, that hearing of her Case, and that she was given over by the Doctors, went to her, pretending to be a Physician, and confidently affirming he would cure her; which she being willing to believe, agrees with him for so much Money, one half to be paid down, the other upon Cure. Upon which he gives her aSpider, promising her Cure in three Days. Upon which, (not doubting but that he had poison’d her, and fearing he might be call’d to account for it,) he gets out of Town as fast as he could. But instead of being poison’d, she soon recover’d. After some Months, the Quack gets privately to Town, when he thought the Bustle might be over; and enquiring how his Patient did, was inform’d of her Cure; and thereupon visiting her, and making an Excuse for his Absence, he receiv’d his Pay with great Applause and Thanks.Mouff. Insect. l. 2. c. 15.Having said so much ofSpiders, I might here add their Flight: But of this, seeBook VIII. Chap. 4. Note (e).

Mr.Leewenhoekput aFrogand aSpidertogether into a Glass, and having made theSpidersting theFrogdivers Times, theFrogdy’d in about an Hour’s Time.Phil. Trans.Nᵒ. 272.

In the sameTransaction, is a curious Account of the Manner howSpiderslay, and guard their eggs,viz.they emit them not out of the hindermost Part of the Body, but under the upper Part of her Belly, near the Hind-Legs,&c.Also there is an Account of the Parts from which they emit their Webs, and divers other Things worth Observation, with Cuts illustrating the Whole.

But inPhil. Trans.Nᵒ. 22. Dr.Nath. Fairfax, fromS. Redi, and his own Observations, thinksSpidersnot venomous; several Persons, as well as Birds, swallowing them without Hurt: Which I my self have known in a Person of Learning, who was advis’d to take them medicinally at first, and would at any Time swallow them, affirming them to be sweet, and well tasted: And not only innocuous, but they are very salutiferous too, in some of the most stubborn Diseases, if the pleasant Story inMouffetbe true; of a richLondonMatron, cur’d of a desperateTympany, by a certain Debauchee, that hearing of her Case, and that she was given over by the Doctors, went to her, pretending to be a Physician, and confidently affirming he would cure her; which she being willing to believe, agrees with him for so much Money, one half to be paid down, the other upon Cure. Upon which he gives her aSpider, promising her Cure in three Days. Upon which, (not doubting but that he had poison’d her, and fearing he might be call’d to account for it,) he gets out of Town as fast as he could. But instead of being poison’d, she soon recover’d. After some Months, the Quack gets privately to Town, when he thought the Bustle might be over; and enquiring how his Patient did, was inform’d of her Cure; and thereupon visiting her, and making an Excuse for his Absence, he receiv’d his Pay with great Applause and Thanks.Mouff. Insect. l. 2. c. 15.

Having said so much ofSpiders, I might here add their Flight: But of this, seeBook VIII. Chap. 4. Note (e).

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