AN*. 465 



of their perceptions, in which they appear to excel most insects. 

 They are, as we have seen, extremely sensible to variations of tem- 

 perature, and generally averse to moisture. In the first stages of 

 their existence, they are formed so as not to be capable of resisting 

 the ordinary action of the air, and being totally helpless, would 

 speedily perish, if left to themselves ; and we have seen what assi- 

 duous and persevering care is required during the whole period of 

 the hatching of the eggs, and the progress of the larve to maturity. 

 All these circumstances place the young for a much longer time in 

 a state of dependence upon their natural protectors, than in the 

 case of most other insects : and in all these circumstances they 

 agree with the bee and the wasp, which are alike gregarious. We 

 recognise in our own species the foundation that is laid for the ties 

 of society, by the helpless condition of the infant, which continues 

 for so long a period to be dependent on others ; and can we refuse 

 to admit the operation of a similar principle in other departments 

 of the animal creation, which are obedient to the laws which the 

 same Providence has ordained for the good of all ? 



Greater varieties unquestionably occur iti the conditions of ani- 

 mals than most philosophers have been willing to allow ; and it must 

 be confessed, that in spite of all our efforts at philosophical dis- 

 tinctions, the various kinds of actions of animals pass into one an- 

 other by such imperceptible shades, and their sensitive existence 

 differs so widely from our own, that we have properly no measure 

 by which to fathom their reasoning powers. As well might we 

 hope to discover the origin of the punctum saliens in the incubated 

 egg, as to determine the point where the dawn of intellect appears, 

 or assign the boundary where instinct assumes the form of reason. 

 / Nothing is simple in nature ; all that we see is the effect of prodi- 

 I gious art : means are accumulated for the production of remote 

 I ends, in a series extending far beyond the sphere of our limited 

 '\ optics. We can discern clearly but a few of the final causes in na- 

 il ture, and but a few of the powers that operate in their accomplish- 

 V dent. 



[Pantolog. Edinb. Rev, Huberts Recherches sur let 

 Moeurs des Fourmis Indigenes, 



vol. v. 2 H 



