34:4: HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF 
If the facts adduced afford ample 
proof that ants are endowed with higher 
faculties than we have hitherto granted 
them, we must attribute it to the subject 
itself; hence the necessity under which 
I have laboured, of employing many 
terms and comparisons, that, on a first 
glance, appear rather bold, although 
founded on the close connection between 
the human race and the insect mihi 5 in 
society. 
Among those I have taken to: witness 
the discovery of mixed or compound ant- 
hills, I may mention the learned pro- 
fessor Jurine.* This gentleman had the 
kindness to identify their existence, by 
examining, separately their contents. 
To this honourable testimony I shall 
add but one more—Nature herself! who 
is ready to answer every doubt, every ob- 
jection ; it is easy to intorrogate her: I 
* This celebrated naturalist, who resided at 
Geneva, has within these few weeks breathed his 
last. His writings, together with his splendid cabi- 
net of insects, furnish-ample proof of his talents 
and industry. — T. 
