28 PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



less brood. Does not love here seem to urge them to 

 that exemplary and fond attention, and those unre- 

 mitted and indefatigable exertions manifested by the 

 whole community for the benefit of these dear objects? 

 Is it not also evidenced by their common and singular 

 attachment to their females, by their mutual caresses, 

 by their feeding; each other, by their apparent sympa- 

 thy with suffering- individuals and endeavours to relieve 

 them, by their readiness to help those that are in dif- 

 ficulty, and finally by their sports and assemblies for 

 relaxation ? That fear produces its influence upon 

 them seems no less evident, when we see them, agitated 

 by the approach of enemies, endeavour to remove what 

 is most dear to them beyond their reach, unite their 

 efforts to repel their attacks, and to construct works of 

 defence. They appear to have besides a common lan- 

 guage ; for they possess the faculty, by significative 

 gestures and sounds, of communicating their wants and 

 ideas to each other. 



There are, however, the following great differences 

 between human societies and those of insects. Man is 

 susceptible of individual attachment, which forms the 

 basis of his happiness, and the source of his purest and 

 clearest enjoyments : — whereas the love of insects seems 

 to be a kind of patriotism that is extended to the whole 

 community, never distinguishing individuals, unless, 

 as in the instance of the female bee, connected with 

 that great object. 



Man also, endowed with reason, forms a judgement 

 from circumstances, and by a variety of means can at- 

 tain the same end. Besides the language of nature, 

 gestures, and exclamations, which the passions produce, 



