RELATION BETWEEN ANTS. I7/ 
ing what interest the ants take in the 
welfare of their companions, bring to 
mind those ideal republics in which all 
wealth should be general, public interest 
serving as a rule of conduct for the ci- 
tizens. It belonged only to nature to 
realize this chimera, and it is only among 
insects, exempt from our passions, that 
she thought she could establish this or- 
der of things. She has given to antsa 
language of communication by the con- 
tact of their antennz ; with these or- 
gans they are enabled to render mutual 
assistance in their labours, and in their 
dangers ; discover again their route when 
they have lost it, and make each other 
acquainted with their necessities. We 
see, then, that insects which live in so- 
ciety are in possession of a language. In 
consequence of enjoying a language, in 
common with us, although in an inferior 
degiee, have they not greater import- 
ance in our eyes, and do they not em- 
bellish the very spectacle of the uni- 
verse ? 
15 
