CHAP. IX. DIFFERENT ASSOCIATIONS OF ANIMALS. 



the fraternity. It is among these social communities 

 that the most astonishing intelligence or, more pro- 

 perly, instinct is developed. Some few instances occur 

 in the vertebrated animals ; but by far the largest and 

 the most gifted portion are to be found in the insect 

 world. Solitary and .gregarious creatures are also met 

 with in the molluscous or aberrant circle of animals ; 

 but their senses are so imperfect, and their actions so 

 confined, that, beyond the phenomena resulting from 

 their great Vitality, little interest, comparatively, at- 

 taches to their history. 



(282.) In treating of imperfect societies of animals, 

 we shall arrange our observations under the following 

 heads : 1 . Associations formed only during the season 

 of breeding, by animals which, at other times, live so- 

 litary. 2. Associations for the purpose of hunting for 

 food. 3. Associations for performing migratory jour- 

 neys. 4. Associations of one of the sexes only, during 

 the breeding season. 5. Associations apparently for 

 mutual enjoyment and recreation. 6. Permanent asso- 

 ciations, apparently induced by the love of society ._ 

 From these latter, we exclude such animals as unite in 

 constructing a common habitation ; and we shall, under 

 each head, distinguish the two great divisions of verte- 

 brated and annulose animals. Those intermediate shades 

 of difference, by which the whole scheme of nature is 

 knit and interwoven together, is as apparent in the 

 habits of animals, as in the characters by which they 

 are distinguished as genera, or as species ; and we shall, 

 consequently, find many which unite in themselves two, 

 or even three, of the above properties so completely, as 

 to render it difficult to decide under which section they 

 should be arranged. Progression, in its most perfect 

 sense, is one of the great characteristics of nature ; and 

 although we may comprehend, theoretically, the leading 

 series of her chain, we are frequently baffled in dis- 

 covering that precise point where one link fits into that 

 which succeeds it. 



(283.) 1. Animals which only seek the company of 



