INSECTS IN GENERAL. 107 



gous. But a development of instinct, not dependent on such 

 causes, but on external circumstances, with individuals of the 

 same species and structure, is a singular plienomenon in the 

 insect world. Thus as we have already mentioned, the work- 

 ing bees destroy the drones every autumn, but do not do so 

 when they have lost their queen. They are certain to be 

 destroyed without mercy, if there is a properly impregnated 

 queen ; but if she be lost, or her impregnation retarded, the 

 drones are equally sure to live out the winter. In a hive where 

 this is the case, not a single drone perishes, though they are 

 massacred with unrelenting ferocity in all the neighbouring 

 hives. To this last proceeding there can be no doubt that 

 the workers are impelled by an imperious instinct. But how 

 account for the change ? Surely it cannot be attributed to 

 reason, to a foresight equal at least to human, and a degree 

 of self-command superior. This would, indeed, be going too 

 far. Such conduct can be only accounted for by the deve- 

 lopment of a new instinct, suited to the occasion, or at all 

 events, by the extinction of the old. But a new and peculiar 

 instinct is unquestionably developed in some positive ope- 

 rations subsequent to the loss of a queen. But to these we 

 can only now advert. 



The question that remains to be noticed, is whether insects 

 are guided solely by instinct, and have no share whatever of 

 reason. Mr. Spence is inclined to think that they have no 

 inconsiderable portion of the latter. 



To larger animals, few philosophers deny some share of 

 reason. But it is not so generally accorded to insects. This 

 arises, in all probability, from the opinion that instinct and 

 reason co-exist in an inverse ratio in animals. This is true, 

 in some instances, and particularly of man, in whom instinct 

 is weak, and reason pre eminent. But it is far from being 

 invariably the case. Many animals whose instincts are not 



