22 INTERNAL ANATOMY OF INSECTS. 
the correctness of the assumption. Now in these ani- 
mals the system in question not only renders to the nu- 
tritive and reproductive organs, which is the principal 
function of the great sympathetic nerves in the verte- 
brates; but by the common organs maintains a connexion 
with the external world, and acquires ideas of things 
without, which in them is a function of the cerebral sy- 
stem: from the same centre also issue those powers which 
at the bidding of the will put the limbs in action, which 
also belongs to the cerebral system. That insects have 
memory, and consequently a real brain, has been before 
largely proved, as also that they have that degree of intel- 
lect and judgement which enables them to profit by the 
notices furnished by their senses a . What can be the use 
of eyes, — of the senses of hearing, smelling, feeling, &c. 
if they are not instructed by them what to choose and 
what to avoid ? And if they are thus instructed — they 
must have sufficient intellect to apprehend it, and a por- 
tion of free will to enable them to act according to it. 
With regard to the assertion that they are incapable of 
instruction, or of acquiring new habits ; few or no ex- 
periments have been tried with the express purpose of 
ascertaining this point : but some well-authenticated facts 
are related, from which it seems to result that insects 
may be taught some things, and acquire habits not in- 
stinctive. They could scarcely be brought from their 
wild state, and domesticated, as bees have been so uni- 
versally, and both ants and wasps occasionally b , without 
some departure from the habits of their wild state ; and 
the fact of the corsair-bees, that acquire predatory habits 
a Vol. H. p. 519— . 507—. 
b Huber Fourmis, ?C0— . Reaum. vi. 172 — . 
