OF INSECTS IN GENERAL. 327 



legs crofled, it has been faid to be employed in devotion ; 

 a circumftaiice from which it has in fome parts obtained 

 Its name *. 



The fame infeft is faid to have fuch a regard for chil- 

 dren, that, fhould one lofe its way, it humanely points 

 to the proper way with its leg, and feldom is known to 

 give a wrong direftion. Of this kind, top, is the refpect 

 for their dead, which has been afcribed to the ants, and 

 the decency with which they beftow the honours of in- 

 terment upon their deceafed friends. Thefe reports reft 

 upon no better foundation, than that thefe animals, and 

 fome fpecies of bees, are feen carrying from the hive 

 fuch as have perifLed or been killed. How many won- 

 ders of a fimilar kind have been told of the common bee ; 

 wonders which render the greater part of the early 

 treatifes upon them hardly more inilruftive than a ro=. 

 mance. Their aflbciaLions have been deemed, a perfeft 

 model of a monarchical government, conducted by one 

 fovereign, whofe commands are implicitly obeyed, and 

 regulate all the different operations in which they are fo 

 bufily employed. From farther inveftigation, however, 

 this king of the bees has a queen, and fo prodigioufly 

 prolific, that from three or four, which are to be found 

 in every hive, the whole progeny, which confifts of many 

 thoufands, is derived. 



The different operations which infects perform, no 

 doubt oblige the naturalift to afcribe to them a certaiu 

 degree of intelligence ; fome degree of it we have feen 

 poffeffed by the other animals : From analogy, therefore, 

 we may reafonably fuppofe them not altogether dellitute 

 »f fagacity. The different proceffes through which they 



* Vide Muoffct, p, 118, In Provence, it is called the God-prayer. 



