SYSTEMATIC ARRANGEMENT. 29 



calculation, and perception of external situation, are 

 rendered possible by a highly developed nervous system, 

 and the marvellously complex sensory organs combined 

 with it, of which the eyes are especially remarkable. 

 Independently of the generative organs, consisting of 

 manifold parts of greater or less importance, the history 

 of the multiplication and development of the bee de- 

 mands a study of itself. 



The function, and therewith the rank and value, of the 

 bee's body seem to us higher than that of the polype in 

 proportion as it is more complex. The superior com- 

 plexity and variety of the parts is anatomically evident, 

 and similarly the higher phase of the life. The superior 

 energy of the existence, the functional capacity and per- 

 fection of the bee as contrasted with the feebleness of 

 the polype, is obviously a result, or more correctly an 

 expression, of the greater mechanical and physiological 

 division of labour. In one animal, as in the other, life 

 is spent in the function of self-preservation and the 

 maintenance of the species, or reproduction ; in both, 

 the cycle of phenomena is limited, unbroken ; but the 

 means of execution are very different, and therefore 

 the general effect is different. In the variety and 

 correlation of the organs destined for the different 

 manifestations of life, we have a standard for the rank 

 of the animals. This rank has a twofold character, 

 general and special. In other words, the position of 

 an animal in the system is defined, first, by the 

 general attributes, which it has in common with the 

 forms harmonizing with it in the main characters 

 of their organization ; and, secondly, by the more 

 special characteristics, which place the animal in its 



