326 IMPERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



operate; and, finally, others, which may be said to form proper societies, 

 are associated for the nurture of their young, and, by the union of their 

 labors and instincts, for mutual society, help, and comfort, in erecting or 

 repairing their common habitation, in collecting provisions, and in defend- 

 ing their fortress when attacked. 



With respect to the duration of the societies of insects, some last only 

 during their first or larva state, and are occasionally even restricted to its 

 earliest period ; some again only associate in their perfect or imago state ; 

 while with others, the proper societies for instance, the association is for life. 

 But if I divide societies of insects into perfect and imperfect, it will, I 

 think, enable me to give you a clearer and better view of the subject. 

 By perfect societies I mean those that are associated in all their states, live 

 in a common habitation, and unite their labors to promote a common 

 object ; and by imperfect societies, those that are either associated during 

 part of their existence only, or else do not dwell in a common habitation, 

 nor unite their labors to promote a common object. In the present letter I 

 shall confine myself to giving you some account of imperfect societes. 



Imperfect societies may be considered as of five descriptions : associa- 

 tions for the sake of company only ; associations of males during the 

 season for pairing ; associations formed for the purpose of traveling or emi- 

 frratintr tocrether ; associations for feeding; together ; and associations that 

 undertake some common work. 



The first of these associations consists chiefly of insects in their perfect 

 state. The little beetles called whirl wigs {Gyrinus), which may be seen 

 clustering in groups under warm banks in every river and every pool, and 

 wheeling round and round with great velocity, at your approach dispersing 

 and diving under water, but as soon as you retire, resuming their accustom- 

 ed movements, seem to be under the influence of the social principle, and 

 to form their assemblies for no other purpose than to enjoy together, in the 

 sunbeam, the mazy dance. Impelled by the same feeling, in the very 

 depth of winter, even when the earth is covered with snow, the tribes of 

 Tipularia (usually, but improperly, called gnats) assemble in sheltered 

 situations at mid-day, when the sun shines, and form themselves into choirs, 

 that alternately rise and fall with rapid evolutions.^ To see these little 

 aery beings apparently so full of joy and life, and feeling the entire force 

 of the social principle in that dreary season, when the whole animal crea- 

 tion appears to suffer, and the rest of the insect tribes are torpid, always 

 conveys to my mind the most agreeable sensations. These little creatures 

 may always be seen at all seasons amusing themselves with these choral 

 dances ; which INIr. Wordsworth, in one of his poems~, has alluded to in 

 the following beautiful lines: — 



" Nor wanting here to entertain the thought, 

 Creatures that in communities exist 

 Less, as might seem, for general guardianship 

 Or through dependance upon mutual aid, 

 Than by participation of delight, 

 And a strict love of fellowship combined. 

 What other spirit can it be that prompts 

 The gilded summer flies to mix and weave 

 Their sports together in the solar beam, 

 Or in the gloom and twilight hum their joy ? " 



• See also Marwick in White's Nat. Hist. ii. 256. * Tfie Excursion. 



