PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 437 



paper you are reading in the open air, and you observe it attentively, you 

 will see it pant like a greyhound after a chase, the alternate rapid contrac- 

 tion and expansion of its abdominal segments corresponding with the 

 numerous and rapid acts of respiration which the exertion of its recent 

 flight has caused ; and Mr. Newport found that in the hive-bee, when very 

 moderately active, the number of respirations did not exceed 40 per 

 minute, while, when in violent action or a state of excitement, they were 

 from 110 to 120 per minute. The degree of heat developed by the hive- 

 bee is thus always in proportion to the activity of its respiration, which 

 again usually depends on the greater or less activity of its motions ; and 

 hence it is in summer often 25° Fahr. above that of the atmosphere, and 

 as much or more even in winter, if the bees be in any way excited.^ 



And now, having detailed to you thus amply the wonderful history and 

 proceedings of the social tribes of the insect world, you will allow, I 

 think, that I have redeemed my pledge, when I taught you to expect that 

 this history would exceed in interest and variety and marvelous results 

 every thing I had before related to you. I trust, moreover, that you \\\\\ 

 scarcely feel disposed to subscribe to that opinion, though it has the sanction 

 of some great names, which attributes these almost miraculous instincts to 

 mere sensation ; which tells us that the sensorium of these insects is so 

 modelled with respect to the different operations that are given them in 

 charge, that it is by the attraction of pleasure alone that they are deter- 

 mined to the execution of them ; and that, as every circumstance relative 

 to the succession of their different labors is preordained, to each of them 

 an agreeable sensation is affixed by the Creator: and that thus, when the 

 bees build their cells ; when they sedulously attend to the young brood ; 

 when they collect provisions ; — this is the result of no plans, of no affec- 

 tion, of no foresight ; but that the sole determining motive is the enjoyment 

 of an agreeable sensation attached to each of these operations.^ Surely 

 it would be better to resolve all their proceedings at once into a direct 

 impulse from the Creator, than to maintain a theory so contrary to fact ; 

 and which militates against the whole history which M. Huber, who adopts 

 this theory from Bonnet, has so ably given of these creatures. That they 

 may experience agreeable sensations from their various employments, 

 nobody will deny ; but that such sensations instruct them how to perform 

 their several operations, without any plan previously impressed upon their 

 sensorium, is contrary both to reason and experience. They have a plan, 

 it is evident; and that plan, which proves that it is not mere sensation, 

 they vary according to circumstances. As to affection — that bees are 

 irritable, and feel the passion of anger, no one will deny ; that they are 

 also susceptible of fear, is equally evident : and if they feel anger and 

 fear, why may they not also feel love 1 Further, if they have recourse 

 to precautions for the prevention of any evil that seems to threaten them, 

 how can we refuse them a degree o^ fore sight 1 Must we also resolve 

 all their patriotism, and the singular regard for the welfare of their com- 

 munity which seems constantly to actuate them, and the sacrifices, even 

 sometimes of themselves, that they make to promote and ensure it, into 



> Newport "On the Temperature of Insects," in Phil. Trans. 1837, p. 309. 311, <5cc. 

 « Huber, i. 313. 



37* 



