Page 144 - Foundations

With INSECTS the ova are hatched from seven half-days (as the wasp, bee, etc.); while with others
it is seven whole days. The majority of insects require from 14 (2x7) to 42 (6x7) days; the same
applies to the larva state.

With ANIMALS the period of gestation of—

The mouse is 21 (3x7) days.
The hare and rat, 28 (4x7) days.
The cat, 56 (8x7) days.
The dog, 63 (9x7) days.
The lion, 98 (14x7) days.
The sheep, 147 (21x7) days.

With BIRDS, the gestation of—

The common hen is 21 (3x7) days.
The duck, 42 (6x7) days.

With the Human species it is 280 days (or 40x7).

Bullinger remarks on another number that pervades the creation. It is the number 3.

It is not always seven, however, which is the predominant factor in physiology or natural history.

In the case of the BEE, it is the number three which pervades its phenomena—

• In three days the egg of the queen is hatched.
• It is fed for nine days (3x3).
• It reaches maturity in 15 days (5x3).
• The worker grub reaches maturity in 21 days (7x3).
• And is at work three days after leaving its cell.
• The drone matures in 24 days (8x3).
• The bee is composed of three sections,— head and two stomachs.
• The two eyes are made up of about 3,000 small eyes, each (like the cells of the comb) having
six sides (2x3).
• Underneath the body are six (2x3) wax scales with which the comb is made.
• It has six (2x3) legs. Each leg is composed of three sections.
• The foot is formed of three triangular sections.
• The antennae consist of nine (3x3) sections.
• The sting has nine (3x3) barbs on each side.

Is this design, or is it chance? Why should it be the number three instead of any other number? No
one can tell. We can only observe the wondrous working of supernatural laws, and admire the
perfection of design...