And is not reasoning intelligence eclipsed by
animals in their provision for atmospheric changes? Do we not see
sheep, when winter is approaching, devouring grass with avidity as if
to make provision for future scarcity? Do we not also see oxen,
long confined in the winter season, recognise the return of spring by a
natural sensation, and look to the end of their stables towards the
doors, all turning their heads there by common consent? Studious
observers have remarked that the hedgehog makes an opening at the two
extremities of his hole. If the wind from the north is going to
blow he shuts up the aperture which looks towards the north; if the
south wind succeeds it the animal passes to the northern
door. Ar., Hist.
An. ix. 6. περὶ δὲ τῆς
τῶν ἐχινων
αἰσθήσεως
συμβέβηκε
πολλαχοῦ
τεθεωρῆσθαι
ὅτι
μεταβαλλόντων
βορέων καὶ
νότων οἱ μὲν
ἐν τῇ γῇ τὰς
ὀπὰς αὑτῶν
μεταμείβουσι
οἱ δ᾽ ἐν ταῖς
οἰκιαις
τρεφόμενοι
μεταβάλλουσι
πρὸς τοὺς
τοίχους. What
lesson do these animals teach man? They not only show us in
our Creator a care which extends to all beings, but a certain
presentiment of future even in brutes. Then we ought not to
attach ourselves to this present life and ought to give all heed to
that which is to come. Will you not be industrious for
yourself, O man? And will you not lay up in the present age
rest in that which is to come, after having seen the example of the
ant? The ant during summer collects treasures for
winter. Far from giving itself up to idleness, before this
season has made it feel its severity, it hastens to work with an
invincible zeal until it has abundantly filled its
storehouses. Here again, how far it is from being
negligent! With what wise foresight it manages so as to keep
its provisions as long as possible! With its pincers it cuts
the grains in half, for fear lest they should germinate and not
serve for its food. If they are damp it dries them; and it
does not spread them out in all weathers, but when it feels that the
air will keep of a mild temperature. Be sure that you will
never see rain fall from the clouds so long as the ant has left the
grain out. ὑετοῦ
ποιεῖται
σημεῖον ὁ
῎Αρατος
῾ἢ
κοίλης
μύρμηκες
ὀχῆς ἐξ ὤεα
πάντα
θᾶσσον
ἀνηνέγκαντο.᾽
καίτινες
οὐκ ὠ& 129·
γράφουσιν,
ἀλλὰ ἵνα
τοὺς
ἀποκειμένους
καρποὺς ὅταν
εὐρῶτα
συνάγοντας
αἴσθωνται
καὶ φοβηθῶσι
φθορὰν καὶ
σῆψιν
ἀναφερόντων,
ὑπερβάλλει
δὲ πᾶσαν
ἐπινοιαν
συνέσεως ἡ
τοῦ πυροῦ τῆς
βλαστήσεως
προκατάληψις.
Plut. ποτ.
τῶν. ζ. κ.τ.λ. 725.