166 PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



pose that the instinct which teaches them what is ne- 

 cessary for the preservation of their society, at the same 

 time that it shows them that without a queen that society 

 cannot be preserved, impells them in every case to the 

 mode of treating her which will most effectually influence 

 her conduct, and give it that direction which is most 

 beneficial to the community ? 



Yet, with respect to the treatment of queens, instinct 

 does not invariably direct the bees to this end. There 

 are certain exceptions, produced perhaps by artificial or 

 casual occurrences, in which it seems to deviate, yet as 

 we should call it amiably, from the rule of the public 

 advantage. Retarded queens, which, as I have observ- 

 ed, lay male eggs only, deposit them in all cells indiffer- 

 ently, even in royal ones. These last are treated by the 

 workers as if they were actually to become queens. Here 

 their instinct seems defective : it appears unaccountable 

 that they should know these eggs, as they do, when de- 

 posited in workers cells, and give them a convex cover- 

 ing when about to assume the pupa ; unless, perhaps, 

 the size of the larva directs them in this case. 



The amputation of one of the antennae of a queen bee 

 appears not to affect her perceptibly ; but cutting off 

 both these important organs produces a very striking 

 derangement of all her proceedings She seems in a 

 species of delirium, and deprived of all her instincts ; 

 every thing is done at random ; yet the respect and ho- 

 mage of the workers towards her, though they are re- 

 ceived by her with indifference, continue undiminished. 

 If another in the same condition be put in the hive, the 

 bees do not appear to discover the difference, and treat 

 them both alike : but if a perfect one be introduced, even 



