410 INSECT CAPABILITIES. 



after an apparent consultation, the individuals separated, leaving 

 the remains where found; at others, singly or together they 

 attempted and accomplished their removal. 



That with relation to each other, the instincts or the affec- 

 tions of insects are not, then, as has been imagined, wholly 

 selfish, that, however circumscribed their sphere, they yet 

 move in a circle beyond the central point of sensual gratifica- 

 tion or self-preservation, is scarcely, we think, a matter to be 

 doubted ; but how far the mental principles of these little crea- 

 tures, like those of the larger animals, can communicate with, 

 or may in any degree be susceptible of, influences from the 

 " master-mind" of man, is a question which most people would 

 deride rather than attempt to answer or consider. 



From the story of M. Pelisson's spider, which always de- 

 scended for the meal wherewith he was accustomed to provide 

 it, on hearing the sound of his flute, we may not infer, perhaps, 

 that spiders in general are gifted (as would appear with the 

 seal) with a soul for music. That particular spider, as well as 

 his race, had probably only a taste for flies ; but from the fact 

 related, the inference is plainly deducible, that they are capable 

 of receiving through their senses other impressions than those 

 absolutely conducive to their support, and that they have in 

 their minds a power of connection such as mere instinctive 

 impulse neither requires nor exhibits. 



Supposing the insect, in common with all other animal 

 minds, to possess this extent of capability, we shall not laugh 

 at Reaumur's expression of "the tamed moth," which sipped 

 syrup off his finger, or doubt the relation of an English natu- 

 ralist, who tells us of the humming-bird hawks, which, when 

 on wing at their flowery repast, flew away frightened by his 

 presence, till, tamed by custom, they learned to continue un- 

 alarmed the discussion of their delicate banquet. 



In speaking of animal natures in connection with our own, 

 we cannot forbear extract of a few remarks bearing on the sub- 

 ject, by an American writer who has broached some new and 

 intelligent ideas on the development of mind : 



