CHAPTER VII.--INSTRUMENTS OF THE INSECT: AND ITS CHEMICAL ENERGIES, AS IN THE COCHINEAL AND THE CANTHARIDES. Hitherto the writer has treated only of the silk of the bombyx, 193 He now commends the culture of other silk-spinning species, 194 And is led to speak of the ingenious instruments with which insects are provided, 194 And of their general powers and properties, 195 Something is said about their weapons, 196 And the malalis is spoken of, 197 CHAPTER VIII.--ON THE RENOVATION OF OUR ARTS BY THE STUDY OF THE INSECT. The Fine Arts would profit by a close study of the insect, 201 Much might be learned, for instance, from the cockchafer's wing, 202 Nature is full of suggestive beauty, 203 Observe the enamels of the cicindela, 204 And those of the scarabæi, 205 Instead of copying from antique absurdities, go then to the insect-collector's cabinet, 206 And its treasures will inspire the artist with new ideas, 207 CHAPTER IX.--THE SPIDER--INDUSTRY--STANDING STILL. We come to the consideration of the spider, 211 Whose life is a lottery, and which is branded with ugliness, 212 It is, however, the type of the persevering worker, 213 An anecdote in illustration of its character, 214 Its web, and the mode of its construction, described, 215 Prudence and patience the characteristics of the spider, 216 All animals live by prey, and the spider has its foes, 217 Its existence is confined within a narrow circle, 218 And is easily terminated, 219 CHAPTER X.--THE HOME AND LOVES OF THE SPIDER. Admirable construction of its web, 223 A glance at the retreat of the Agelena, 224 Still greater ingenuity is shown by the Mygale, 225 In the web lurks the weaver, always expectant, 225 A sensitive being, and subject to fancies of terror, 227 In his moments of love he is timorous and suspicious, 228 How he is affected by musical sounds, 229 BOOK THE THIRD.--COMMUNITIES OF INSECTS. CHAPTER I.--THE TERMITES, OR WHITE ANTS. The habitations of the termites, erroneously called White Ants, described, both externally and internally, 235, 236 A wonderful degree of skill shown in the erection of the great dome, 237 Yet the builders labour under specially difficult circumstances, 238 Their queen's fecundity; her offspring are tenderly treated, 239 Their numbers would be a terror to man, were they not checked by many enemies, 240 An illustration is given of their terrible ravages, 241 CHAPTER II.--THE ANTS:--THEIR DOMESTIC ECONOMY--THEIR NUPTIALS.