202 



clear that there is no explanation of instinct by refer 

 ence to reflex action alone. And no less obvious will 

 it seem, that no explanation of instinct is to be had by 

 describing it as memory of past achievements in the 

 history of the species. The key is to be found within 

 the organism of eacli individual worker. It is a 

 matter of structure, and belongs to sensory apparatus. 

 A striking light is thrown across the relations of 

 human intelligence to animal activity, when we con 

 sider the conditions of our interference with the activity 

 of insect life, in contrast with our guidance of the 

 activity of the higher mammals. We can rationally 

 co-operate with the insects in the carrying out of their 

 own work; the higher mammals intelligently co 

 operate with us in the doing of OUT work. In the one 

 case the understanding comes altogether from man. 

 We understand what the insects are doing, and we 

 bring our appliances to their aid. In the other case, 

 some measure of intelligence belongs to the animal as 

 well as to man. This difference is strikingly illus 

 trated in the management of bees, when aid is 

 rendered them in the building of their comb, so as to 

 secure increase of honey. By use of thin plates of 

 impressed wax, a beginning can be made for a honey 

 comb which the workers accept as work already done, 

 and from which they will proceed, as they begin to 

 bring in their stores. 1 This is the method by which 

 small squares of honey are secured for placing on the 

 table. Though we cannot aid in the honey gathering, 

 the bees accept the aid proffered in their task of 

 storing, thus carrying forward their task more quickly, 



1 Cheshire s Bees and Beekeeping, Scientific and Practical, 2 vols. 

 See vol. ii. p. 182. 



