In the infinitely little lurks a great attraction for man, 143 Hence its study should be systematically undertaken, 144 Michelet applies himself to his microscope, 145 And examines the structure of an insect's wing, 146 Next, he studies the organization of the ant, 147 He describes what he saw, 148 A complex apparatus, both for action and defence, 150 What it is which separates us from the insect, 151 CHAPTER III.--THE INSECT AS THE AGENT OF NATURE IN THE ACCELERATION OF DEATH AND LIFE. The language of the insect in its immense energy, 155 A glance is directed at the order of Nature, 156 And it is shown that all forms of life must be kept within certain limits, 156 Hence, one race preys upon another, and all Nature is a scene of incessant combat, 157 In this work of destruction, and purification, the Bird and the Insect play an important part, 158 The Coleoptera bring their surprising energies to the task, 159 The insect-tribes are therefore great sanitary agents, 160 The great Guiana ants afford an illustration, 161 And the beneficent labours of the spider have secured the respect of the Siberians, 162 CHAPTER IV.--THE INSECT AS MAN'S AUXILIARY. The want of insect-labour induced the potato disease, 165 Such is the dictum of an author, who thinks that the multiplication of small birds has been destructive to insect-life; but no such multiplication of birds has taken place, nor any such destruction of insects, 165, 166 The Bird and the Insect are the joint purifiers of creation, 167 Some species of insects should be carefully preserved, 167 A sketch is given of their multifarious labours, 168 Of the services rendered by the scavenger-insects, 169 Of the value of certain insects as food, 170 As, for instance, in the case of the locust, 171 The law of retaliation illustrated, 172 CHAPTER V.--A PHANTASMAGORIA OF LIGHT AND COLOUR. How does the insect express its intensity of vital force? 175 In various ways, but specially through its glowing hues, 176 Which are displayed with a profusion that astonishes and almost overcomes the observer, 177 But are not inconsistent with an ingenious mimicry, 177 A diversion is made to the tropical forest, 178 Where the insect life is seen in its most splendid developments, 179 Like winged flames they haunt the leafy shades, 180 The fire-fly lights up the gloom, and also furnishes woman's beauty with a living ornament, 181, 182 CHAPTER VI.--THE SILKWORM. The exquisite structure of a woman's hair enlarged upon, 185 What can compare with it? Only the silkworm's thread, 186 Peculiar charm attending the silkworm's labours, 186 And the preciousness of the silken product, 187 Something is said about the use of silk in Mediæval France, 188 And on its excellence and fitness as a garment for Beauty, 189