LETTER XVil. 



SOCIETIES OF INSECTS CONTINUED. 

 PERFECT SOCIETIES. ( WJiUe Anls and Ants.) 



The associations of insects of whicli ray last letter gave 

 you a detail, were of a very imperfect kind, both as to 

 their object and duration : but those which I am now 

 to lay before you exhibit the semblance of a nearer 

 approach, both in their principle and its results, to 

 the societies of man himself. There are two kindred 

 sentiments, that in these last act with most powerful 

 energy — desire and affection. — From the first proceed 

 many wants that cannot be satisfied without the inter- 

 course, aid, and cooperation of others ; and by the last 

 we are impelled to seek the good of certain objects, 

 and to delight in their society. Thus self-love com- 

 bines with philanthropy to produce the social principle, 

 both desire and love alternately urging us to an inter- 

 course with each otlier ; and from these in union ori- 

 ginate the multiplication and preservation of the spe- 

 cies. These two passions are the master-movers in 

 this business ; but there is a third subsidiary to them, 

 which, though it trenches upon the social principle, 

 considered abstractedly, is often a powerful bond of 

 union in separate societies — you will readily perceive 

 that I am speaking of fear; — under the influence of this 

 passion these are drawn closer together, and unite more 

 intimately for defence against some common enemy. 



