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Show 66 ORIGIN OF SOCIETY. CANTO II. " H ence, wh en the Morus in Italia'. s lands T o spn.n g' s warm beam its timid leaf expands; The Silk-Worm broods in countless tribes above Crop the green treasure, uninfo:rm' d of lo~e; Erewhile the changeful worm with circling head Weaves the nic~ curtains of his silken bed; Web within web involves his larva form, Alike secured from sunshine and from storn1; 300 For twelve long days He dreams of blossom'd groves, Untasted honey, and ideal loves; Untasted honey, 1. 30.2. The numerous moths an~l bu~terflies s~e~ to pass from a reptile leaf-eating state, and t~ acqmre wmgs ~o fht I_n air, with a prob<?scis to gain honey for the1r food along w_Ith the ~r 01·o·ans of reproduction, solely for the purpose of propagatmg theu sp~cies by sexual intercourse, as they die when that is cot~p~etecl. By the use of their wings they have access to each other on drfferen t branches or on different vegetables, and by living upon honey probably acquire a higher degree of animation, and thus seem to resemble the apthers of flowers, which probably are supported by honey ~nly, and thence acquire greater sensibility; see Note on Vallisneria, 1. 280 of this Canto. A naturalist, who had studied this subject, thought it not impossible that the first insects were the anthers and stigmas of flowers, which had by some means loosened themselves from their parent plant, like the male flowers of vallisneria, and that other insects in process of time had been formed from these, some acquiring wings) CANTO II, UEPRODUCTION OF LIFE. Wakes from his trance, alarm'd with young Desire, Finds his new sex, and feels ecstatic fire; From flovver to flower with honey' d lip he springs, And seeks his velvet loves on silver wings. 67 VI. " The Demon, Jealousy, with Gorgon frown Blasts the sweet flowers of Pleasure not his own, Rolls his wild eyes, and through the shuddering grove Pursues the steps of unsuspecting Love; Or drives o'er rattling plains his iron car, Flings his red torch, and lights the flames of war. Here Cocks heroic burn with rival rage, . ' And Quails with Quails in doubtful fight engage; Of armed heels and bristling plumage proud, They sound the insulting clarion shrill and loud, 310 others fins, and others claws, from their ceaseless efforts to procure food or to secure themselves from injury. He contends, that none of these changes are more incomprehensible than the transformation of caterpillars into butterflies; see Botanic Garden, Vol. I. Additional Note XXXIX. |
