CHAP. II.Of theShapeandStructureofInsects.
Of theShapeandStructureofInsects.
Let us begin with the Shape and Fabrick of their Bodies. Which although it be somewhat different from that of Birds, being particularly, for the most part, not so sharp before, to cut and make way through the Air, yet is better adapted to their manner of Life. For considering that there is little Necessity of long Flights, and that the Strength and Activity of their Wings doth much surpass the Resistance their Bodies meet with from the Air, there was no great Occasion their Bodies should be so sharpened before. But the Condition of their Food, and the Manner of gathering it, together with the great Necessity of accurate Vision by that admirable Provision made for them by the reticulatedCorneaof their Eyes; these Things, I say, as they required a larger Room, so were a good Occasion for the Largeness of the Head, and its Amplitude before. But for the rest of their Body, all is well made, and nicely poised for their Flight, and every other of their Occasions.
And as theirShape; so theFabrickandMakeof their Bodies is no less accurate, admirable, and singular; not built throughout with Bones, and cover’d with Flesh and Skin, as in most other Animals; but cover’d with a curious Mail of a middle Nature[a], serving both as Skin and Bone too, for the Shape, as well as Strength and Guard of the Body, and as it were on Purpose to shew that the great Contriver of Nature is not bound up to one Way only.
FOOTNOTES:[a]Insecta non videntur Nervos habere, nec Ossa, nec Spinas, nec Cartilaginem, nec Pinguia, nec Carnes, ne crustam quidem fragilem, ut quædam marina, nec quæ jure dicatur Curis: sed media cujusdam inter omnia hæc naturæ corpus,&c.Plin. N. H. L. 11. c. 4.
[a]Insecta non videntur Nervos habere, nec Ossa, nec Spinas, nec Cartilaginem, nec Pinguia, nec Carnes, ne crustam quidem fragilem, ut quædam marina, nec quæ jure dicatur Curis: sed media cujusdam inter omnia hæc naturæ corpus,&c.Plin. N. H. L. 11. c. 4.
[a]Insecta non videntur Nervos habere, nec Ossa, nec Spinas, nec Cartilaginem, nec Pinguia, nec Carnes, ne crustam quidem fragilem, ut quædam marina, nec quæ jure dicatur Curis: sed media cujusdam inter omnia hæc naturæ corpus,&c.Plin. N. H. L. 11. c. 4.