INSTINCTS. 171 



intelligent mind ; but there is this difference : 

 in all the productions of nature, the principle, 

 not only of perfection, but likewise of con- 

 servation, is found, marking a species of in- 

 telligence and power which can be compared 

 to nothing human. The first created swarm 

 of bees contained beings provided with all 

 the instincts necessary for the perpetual con- 

 tinuance of the species : and some of these 

 instincts can scarcely be understood by man, 

 requiring the most profound geometrical know- 

 ledge, even to calculate their results; and other 

 instincts involve what in human society would 

 be the most singular state of policy, combining 

 contrasted moral causes and contradictory in- 

 terests. It is impossible not to be lost in awe 

 at the contemplation of this chain of facts ; 

 the human mind cannot fail to acknowledge 

 in them the strongest proofs of their being 

 produced by infinite wisdom and unbounded 

 power ; and the devout philosopher can scarcely 

 avoid considering with respect a little insect, 

 endowed with faculties producing combin- 

 ations, which human reason vainly attempts to 

 imitate, and can scarcely understand. 



