PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 213 



has so ably given of these creatures. That they may 

 experience agreeable sensations from their various em- 

 ployments, nobody will deny ; but that such sensations 

 instruct them how to perform their several operations, 

 without any plan previously impressed upon their sen- 

 sorium, is contrary both to reason and experience. They 

 have a plan, it is evident ; and that plan, which proves 

 that it is not mere sensation, they vary according to cir- 

 cumstances. As to affection that bees are irritable, 

 and feel the passion of anger, no one will deny ; that 

 they are also susceptible of fear, is equally evident : and 

 if they feel anger and fear, why may they not also 

 feel love ? Further, if they have recourse to precautions 

 for the prevention of any evil that seems to threaten 

 them, how can we refuse them a degree of foresight ? 

 Must we also resolve all their patriotism, and the sin- 

 gular regard for the welfare of their community, which 

 seems constantly to actuate them, and the sacrifices, 

 even sometimes of themselves, that they make to pro- 

 mote and ensure it, into individual self-love? We 

 would not set them up as rivals to man in intelligence, 

 foresight, and the affections ; but they have that degree 

 of each that is necessary for their purposes. On ac- 

 count of the difficulties attending all theories that give 

 them some degree of these qualities, to resolve all into 

 mere sensation, is removing one difficulty by a greater. 

 That these creatures from mere selfishness build their 

 combs, replenish them with the fruit of their unwearied 

 labours, attend so assiduously to the nurture of the young 

 brood, lavish their caresses upon their queen, prevent 

 all her wants, give a portion of the honey they have 

 collected to those that remain in the hives, assist each 



