526 INSTINCT OF INSECTS. 



In the elegant lines in which this couplet occurs % 

 which were pointed out to me by ray friend Dr. Alder- 

 son of Hull, Mr. Rogers supposes the bee to be con- 

 ducted to its hive by retracing the scents of the various 

 flowers which it has visited : but this idea is more po- 

 etical than accurate, bees, as before observed'', flying 

 straight to their hives from great distances. Here, as 

 I have more than once had occasion to remark in si- 

 milar instances, we have to regret the want of more 

 correct entomological information in the poet, who 

 might have employed with as much effect, the real fact 

 of bees distinguishing their own hives out of numbers 

 near them, when conducted to the spot by instinct. 

 This recognition of home seems clearly the result of 

 memory ; and it is remarkable that bees appear to re- 

 collect their own hive rather from its situation, than 

 from any observations on the hive itself^ ; just as a man 



• *' Hark ! the bee winds her small but mellow liorn, 



Blithe to salute the sunny smile of morn. 



O'er thymy downs she bends her busy course, 



And many a stream allures her to its source, 



'Tis noon, 'tis night. That eye so finely wrought. 



Beyond the search of sense, the soar of thought, 



Now vainly asks the scenes she left behind ; 



Its orb so full, its vision so confin'd ! 



Who guides the patient pilgrim to her cell ? 



Who bids her soul with conscious triumph swell ? 



AVith conscious truth retrace the mazy clue 



Of varied scents that charm'd her as she flew ? 



Hail, Memory, hail ! thy universal reign 



Guards the least link of Being's glorious chain.' 

 " See above, p. 188 and 501. 



* If a hive be removed out of its ordinary position, the first day after 

 this removal, the bees do not fly to a distance without havir.g \isited all 



