OF NATURAL HISTORY. 387 



pence, and either the partial or the total ruin of another. If uni- 

 verfal peace could be completely eftablifhed, and if the earth were 

 cultivated to the higheft perfedion, it is not probable that the mul- 

 tiplication of the human fpecies would ever rife to fuch a degree as 

 to exceed the quantity of provifions produced by agriculture, and 

 by the breeding of domeftic animals, necefTary for their exiftence 

 and happinefs. But, as long as men are actuated by ambition, by 

 refentment, and by many other^hoftile paffions, war and animofity, 

 with all their train of blood- fhed and calamity, will forever conti- 

 nue to harrafs and perfecute the human kind. Let us, however, be 

 humble. We cannot unfold the myfteries of Nature; but we may 

 admire her operations, and fubmit, with a becoming refignation, to 

 her irrefiftible decrees. The man, if fuca a man there be, whofe 

 ftrength of mind enables him to obferve fteadfaftly this condud, is 

 the only real philofopher. 



As formerly remarked, man is not the only animal that makes 

 •war with his own fpecies. Quadrupeds, birds, fiflies, infeds, inde- 

 pendently of their appetite for food, occafionally fight and kill each 

 other. On this fubjed we fliall confine ourfelves to a few examples 

 derived from the infed tribes. 



A fociety or hive of bees confifts of a female, of males, and of 

 drones, or neuters. Thefe three kinds continue, for fome time, in 

 the moft perfed harmony, and mutually proted and affift each other. 

 The neuters, or working bees, difcover the ftrongeft attachment and 

 affedion to the males, even when in their worm ftate. The neu- 

 ters are armed with a deadly fting, of which the males are deftitute. 

 Both are equally produced by the fame mother, and live in the fame 

 family. But, notwithftanding their temporary affedion, there are 

 times when the neuters cruelly maflacre the males. Among the laws 

 of polifhed republics, we find fome which are extremely barbarous. 



3 C 2 The 



