—68— 



At this point we proceed to inquire into the nature of the imper- 

 fections of the offspring. 



There would probably be quite a variety in these defects. One- 

 might be wanting in legs, another deficient in wings, ' another insane, 

 another deaf, another possibly congenitally blind, or perhaps wanting in 

 that sense, whatever it is, by which ants and bees intelligently converse 

 with their fellows. 



All of these and many other congenital defects are possible and even 

 probable, because we see them in other and the least changeable orders 

 and species of creatures. 



But the greatest in number of all the very important defects, would 

 be defects of the reproductive organs; because they are the organs in the 

 mother which have been most affected by her unfortunate environment. 



Under these circumstances, what must become of all the imperfect 

 offspring in a sharp struggle for existence? 



Manifestly all wanting in legs, or wings, or eves, or in any organs 

 necessary for quick and intelligent movements in attacking or resisting 

 enemies, or in collecting food, must die at an early age, notwithstanding 

 any possible care of the mother. 



Manifestly none of those defective in the reproductive organs would 

 so die, unless they were also defective in some other particular, unless 

 indeed the struggle became so keen, that perfect and imperfect went to 

 the wall together. 



Manifestly also, these insects, thus congenitally imperfect in the re- 

 productive organs, would have a great advantage over all others in the 

 struggle for existence, from the time at which the reproductive period in 

 those others commenced. 



If altogether incapable of reproduction, they would have vitality 

 enough for themselves and a surplus to expend. 



The energy inherited from the hardworking progenitors would be 

 too great for idleness. The surplus must be expended at the dictates of 

 love or hate. Hate, beyond that healthy indignation at attack or imposi- 

 tion which is necessary to self-protection, is unnatural to such beings.* 

 But they have one to love, and that is the mother. The perfect offspring 

 depart to reproduce their kind, and the one, two, three, or the dozen, of 

 the imperfect ones, stay behind with the mother bee, or if she dies they 

 transfer their affection to some one of their perfect sisters. 



Now another hoard of honey must be gathered, and another lot of 

 eggs laid, hatched out and cared for. The female bee works industriously, 



* Lubbock's instances of ants attacking strangers and not reselling friends by no 

 means demonstrates the opposite of this proposition. 



