IN REPUBLICS. 369 
at least, the right of depositing her eggs 
alone, in the hive which witnessed their 
birth. 
A constitution, widely different, ob- 
tains with ants: several females equally 
divide the important functions of pro- 
creation ; they do not evince that hatred, 
nor do we perceive any of that jealousy, 
of which we have an example in bees ; 
they also receive, in common, the ho- 
mages of the other casts. When the 
young females depart, for the purpose of 
founding new states, the inhabitants of 
each ‘city, endowed with admirable 
prudence, retain some few to supply 
the place of those about to terminate 
their career. It is thus the popula- 
tion of each republic is sustained and in- 
creased.. 
The terms of Queens, of Subjects, of 
Constitution, of Republics, must not be 
taken according to the strict letter. The 
unity or plurality of females presents 
but a poor image of our different forms 
of governments: in truth, each of these 
Ro 
