IMPERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 19 



history of them by M. P. Iluber, though they go forth 

 by common consent upon their military expeditions, 

 yet the order of their columns keeps perpetually chan- 

 ging; so that those who lead the van at the first setting 

 out, soon fair into the rear, and others take their place; 

 tliojr successors do the same; and such is the constant 

 order of their marcli. It seems probable, as these co- 

 lumns are extended to a considerable length, that the 

 object of this successive change of leaders is to convey 

 constant intelligence to those in the rear, of what is 

 going forward in the van. Whether any thing like 

 this takes place for the regulation of their motions in 

 the innumerable locust-armies, which are sometimes 

 co-extensive with vast kingdoms ; or whether their in- 

 stinct simply directs them to follow the first that moves 

 or flies, and to keep their measured distance, so that, 

 as the prophet speaks, " one does not thrust another, 

 and they walk every one in his path^," must be left 

 to future naturalists to ascertain. And I think that 

 you will join with me in the wish that travellers, who 

 have a taste for Natural History, and some knowledge 

 of insects, would devote a share of attention to the 

 proceedings of these celebrated animals, so that we 

 might have facts instead of fables. 



The last order of imperfect associations approaches 

 nearer to perfect societies, and is that of those insects 

 winch the social principle urges to unite in some com- 

 mon work for the benefit of the community. 



Amongst the Coleoptera, Ateuchus pilularius, a beetle 

 before mentioned, acts under the influence of this prin- 

 ciple. " I have attentively admired their industry and 



'Joelii. 8. 

 C 2 



