INSTINCTS OF BEES. 335 



make a distinction between the instinct and the 

 reason of bees, I do not confound their reason 

 with the reason of man. But to obviate all pos- 

 sibility of misconception, I will at once define 

 my meaning, when I use the terms insect reason 

 and instinct. 



By reason, I mean the power of making deduc- 

 tions from previous experience or observation, and 

 thereby of adapting means to ends. Instinct I 

 regard as a disposition and power to perform cer- 

 tain actions in the same uniform manner, without 

 reference either to observation or experience. 

 Those who have attended to this subject, will be 

 aware that insect reason as above defined, is more 

 restricted in its functions than the reason of man ; 

 to which is superadded the power of distinguishing 

 between the true and the false, and, according to 

 some metaphysicians, between right and wrong. 

 Reason, in man, has a regular growth, and a slow 

 progression ; all the arts he practises evince skill 

 and dexterity, proportioned to the pains which 

 have been taken in acquiring them. In the lower 

 links of creation, but little of this gradual im- 

 provement is observable ; their powers carry them 

 almost directly to their object. They are perfect, 

 as BACON says, in all their members and organs 

 from the very beginning. 



" Far different Man, to higher fates assign'd, 

 Unfolds with tardier step his Proteus mind, 



