AFFECTION OF INSECTS FOR THEIR YOUNG. 381 



With respect to the operations of the termites in rear- 

 ing their young I have not much to observe. All that 

 is known is, that they build commodious cells for their 

 reception, into which the eggs of the queen are con- 

 veyed by the workers as soon as laid, and where when 

 hatched they are assiduously fed by them until they are 

 able to provide for themselves. 



In concluding this subject, it may not be superfluous 

 to advert to an objection which is sometimes thrown 

 out against regarding with any particular sympathy the 

 affection of the lower animals to their young, on the 

 ground that this feeling is in them the result of corpo- 

 real sensation only, and wholly different from that love 

 which human parents feel for their offspring. It is true 

 that the latter involves moral considerations which 

 cannot have place in the brute creation ; but it would 

 puzzle such objectors to explain in what respect the 

 affection which a mother feels for her new-born infant 

 the moment it has seen the light, differs from that of an 

 insect for its progeny. The affection of both is purely 

 physical, and in each case springs from sensations in- 

 terwoven by the Creator in the constitution of his crea- 

 tures. If the parental love of the former is worthy of 

 our tenderest sympathies, that of the latter cannot be 

 undeserving of some portion of similar feeling. 



I am, &c. 



