BY THE AUTHOR. XX1 
sufficient degree of intelligence for the 
conduct of their domestic affairs, to that 
which considers themas mere automatons. 
But Ants, living as they do in society, 
and entering upon labours that require 
some degree of unanimity —have they no 
means of understanding, and of making 
known their wants and their situation to. 
their companions? What are the con- 
necting bonds of this numerous family ? 
Have they chiefs, a government, a police? 
Do we find among them any proof of that 
subordination so boasted of by their pa- 
negyrists, and of that economical fore- 
sight which they present us as an ex- 
ample for our imitation ?— These impor- 
tant questions would have alone engaged 
my attention, hadI been able to followany 
regular plan in my observations: but 
when we advance on an unknown region, 
we cannot trace before-hand the boun- 
daries of our journey; and Natural History 
offers more than one proof, that to make 
new discoveries we must now and then 
quit the main road. 
