The Life of the Bee 



that account not impossible. None such 

 being known at present, we conclude that 

 we stand on the topmost pinnacle of life 

 on this earth ; but this belief, after all, 

 is by no means infallible. I am not 

 assuming that when our actions are un- 

 reasonable, or contemptible, we merely 

 fall into the snares that such a creature 

 has laid ; though it is not inconceivable 

 that this should one day be proved true. 

 On the other hand, it cannot be wise to 

 deny intelligence to the bee because it has 

 not yet succeeded in distinguishing us 

 from the great ape or the bear. It is 

 certain that there are, in us and about 

 us, influences and powers no less dis- 

 similar whose distinction escapes us as 

 readily. 



And finally, to end this apology, where- 

 in I seem somewhat to have fallen into 

 the error I laid to Sir John Lubbock's 

 charge, does not the capacity for folly so 

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