INSTINCT OF INSECTS. 319 



the ends for which the insect has been produced. This 

 would comprise every physiological peculiarity presented to 

 us by the insect world, independent of mere structui-al modi- 

 fication. But in treating of the internal systems of organs, 

 and, indeed, partially, in the review of the external form of 

 insects, I have thought it might be more agreeable to the 

 majority of my readers to blend together effects with causes 

 — operations -with the apparatus whereby they are effected. 

 It still, however, remains for me, as previously observed, to 

 notice the operations of that power, or principle, which 

 seems totally independent of organization, and to which the 

 name of Instinct is generally applied. 



It is necessary, however, in the first place, to premise, 

 that it is not my intention to enter into any disquisi- 

 tion upon the nature of instinct. We know, indeed, no- 

 thing of the real nature thereof beyond what is exhibited to 

 us by the various phenomena of insect Hfe, and which have 

 been well described as the result of a power " enabhng an 

 animal to do that which, in those things that man can do, 

 results from a chain of reasoning ; and in things which men 

 cannot do, is not to be explained by any efforts of the intel- 

 lectual faculties." * 



Fig:. 5, Nest of Termes fatale (ten or twelve feet high) — 6, Nest of Termes atrox. 



* Lieut. Col. Sykes, in Trans, of Entomol. Society, p. 106. 



