INSECTS THAT LIVE IN REPUBLICS. 347 
those systematic divisions, established by 
distinguished naturalists; it, however, 
serves to show us the true plan of nature, 
in proving, that she is not always subject 
to that material order which strikes our 
senses; that she has varied ad infinitum 
her combinations; and that there are 
general rules founded upon moral cha- 
racters, divisions and subdivisions in the 
intellectual, as well as in the physical 
part of creation, which, I hope, one day, 
fully to demonstrate. I shall detach from 
this plan only a few opinions, having 
reference to those insects which live in 
society; they form a separate class, of 
which we have not yet well ascertained 
the nature and the relation. Pre-emi- 
nence, if such exists between these 
republics, cannot be determined, until 
we have compared with much care and 
attention, the spirit, labours, character, 
and laws of each. - 
To assign as nearly as possible, the 
place they occupy in the class of insects, 
let us set aside those animals, whose size, 
Q 6 
