perceptible by the hand. Hence by this ingenious exertion, they for a long
time prevent the torpid state they would naturally fall into.

According to the late observations of Mr. Hunter, it appears that the
bee's-wax is not made from the dust of the anthers of flowers, which they
bring home on their thighs, but that this makes what is termed bee-bread,
and is used for the purpose of feeding the bee-maggots; in the same manner
butterflies live on honey, but the previous caterpillar lives on vegetable
leaves, while the maggots of large flies require flesh for their food, and
those of the ichneumon fly require insects for their food. What induces the
bee who lives on honey to lay up vegetable powder for its young? What
induces the butterfly to lay its eggs on leaves, when itself feeds on
honey? What induces the other flies to seek a food for their progeny
different from what they consume themselves? If these are not deductions
from their own previous experience or observation, all the actions of
mankind must be resolved into instinct.

3. The dormouse consumes but little of its food during the rigour of the
season, for they roll themselves up, or sleep, or lie torpid the greatest
part of the time; but on warm sunny days experience a short revival, and
take a little food, and then relapse into their former state." (Pennant
Zoolog. p. 67.) Other animals, that sleep in winter without laying up any
provender, are observed to go into their winter beds fat and strong, but
return to day-light in the spring season very lean and feeble. The common
flies sleep during the winter without any provision for their nourishment,
and are daily revived by the warmth of the sun, or of our fires. These
whenever they see light endeavour to approach it, having observed, that by
its greater vicinity they get free from the degree of torpor, that the cold
produces; and are hence induced perpetually to burn themselves in our
candles: deceived, like mankind, by the misapplication of their knowledge.