PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 403 



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 other, defend their common 

 dwelling, and are ready to sacrifice themselves for the public good is an 

 anomaly in rerum natura that ought never to be admitted, unless esta- 

 blished by the most irrefragable demonstration ; and I think you will not 

 be disposed without full proof to yield yourself to a mere theory, so con- 

 tradictory of all the facts we know relative to this subject. 



After all, there are mysteries, as to the primum mobile, amongst these 

 social tribes, that with all our boasted reason we cannot fathom ; nor 

 develop satisfactorily the motives that urge them to fulfil in so remarkable 

 though diversified a way their different destinies. One thing is clear to 

 demonstration, that by these creatures and their instincts the power, wis- 

 dom, and goodness of the GREAT FATHER of the universe are loudly 

 proclaimed ; the atheist and infidel confuted ; the believer confirmed in 

 his faith and trust in Providence, which he thus beholds watching, with 

 incessant care, over the welfare of the meanest of his creatures ; and from 

 which he may conclude that he, the prince of the creation, will never be 

 overlooked or forsaken : and from them what lessons may be learned of 

 patriotism and self-devotion to the public good ; of loyalty ; of prudence, 

 temperance, diligence, and self-denial. But it is time at length to put an 

 end to this long disquisition. 



I am, &c. 



