Note b — BOOK VIII.

It is manifest, that Insects clean their Eyes with their Fore-legs, as well as Antennæ. And considering, that as they walk along, they are perpetually feeling, and searching before them, with their Feelers, or Antennæ; therefore I am apt to think, that besides wiping and cleaning the Eyes, the Uses here nam’d may be admitted. For as their Eyes are immoveable, so that no Time is requir’d for the turning their Eyes to Objects; so there is no Necessity of the Retina, or optick Nerve being brought nigher unto, or set farther off from the Cornea, (which would require Time,) as it is in other Animals: But their Cornea and optick Nerve, being always at one and the same Distance, are fitted only to see distantial Objects, but not such as are very nigh: Which Inconvenience the Feelers obviate, lest it should be prejudicial, in occasioning the Insect to run its Head against any Thing.

And that this, rather than the wiping the Eyes, is the chief Use of the Feelers, is farther manifest from the Antennæ of the Flesh-Fly, and many other Insects, which are short, and strait, and incapable of being bent unto, or extended over the Eyes: As also from others enormously long, such as those of the Capricorni, or Goat-chasers, the Cadew-Fly, and divers others, both Beetles and Flies.