Author, U: Natural History of Insects

Excerpt from The Natural History of Insects: Compiled From Wammerdam, Brookes, Goldsmith, &C.; Embellished With Copper-Plates; Intended as a Companion to Buffon's Natural History

Thofe infeéts which are provided with wings have tendons, which dillend and firengthen them; thofe which are provided with four, ufe the outermo¿ rather as cafes to defend the internal wings than as in ftruments in ¿ying. When the infect is at refi, the inner wings are generally gathered up in the manner we clofe a fan, nor is it without fome efforts that the little animal can unfold it. Thofe, however, whofe wings are not cafed in this manner, fuch as moths and butter ¿ies, have them defended with feathers; for that beautiful variety of colours which we fo much admire, appears, through a microfc0pe, to be nothing more than different coloured plumage, as artfully placed as, in the wings of birds, but too minute to be difcerned by the naked eye. Such infects as have but two wings have two little balls, or poifers, joined to the body under the hinder part of each wing, that ferve to keep them Ready, and in fome meafure counteracts the changes of the air, which might at every variation carry them in its current: If one of thefe poifers be cut off the infect will foon fall to the, ground, but if they are both cut, it will {till ¿y, but yet in the direction of every: breeze.

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