IN REPUBLICS, 861 
her society, a number of assistants, who 
take upon themselves the several la- 
bours: these are endowed with the 
highest degree of industry, activity, zeal, 
and courage: fecundity alone is denied 
them. 
In what rests the secret of this or- 
ganisation, incomplete as to sex, perfect 
as to industry? Admirable combination 
of an incomprehensible nature! It has 
been fully proved, that bees can, in time 
of need, elect a queen from among the 
youngest larve; that the education, 
nourishment, and size of the cell destined 
for her, give rise to her being endowed 
with amazing fecundity, devoted to a 
state of repose, and receiving the 
homages of a numerous republic. Had 
it, however, been reared, like the other 
larvee, it would have participated in the 
labours and dangers which fall to the lot 
of the workers. Can we conceive how 
means so simple should produce such 
powerful effects ? 
From such an institution arise those 
R 
