420 THE PHILOSOPHY 



narchical nor defpotic. For the inhabitants of the dlflferent cabins, 

 as well as thofe of the whole village, feem to acknowledge no chief 

 or leader whatever. Their aflbciation prefents to our obfervation a 

 model of a pure and perfed republic, the only bafis of which is mu- 

 tual and unequivocal attachment. They have no law but the lavw 

 of love and of parental affedion. Humanity prompts us to wifh 

 that it were poffible to eftablifh republics of this kind among' man- 

 kind. But the difpofitions of men have little affinity to thofe of the 

 beavers. 



The hampfter, or German marmot, and fome other quadrupeds 

 cf this kind, live in fociety, and affift each other in digging and ren- 

 dering commodious their fubterraneous habitations. The operations 

 of the marmots have already been defcribed ; and the nature of their 

 fociety, as they continue during the winter in a torpid ftate. Is either 

 lefs known, or does not excite fo much admiration as that of the 

 beavers. 



Pairing birds, in fome meafure, may be confidered as forming pro- 

 per focieties ; becaufe, in general, the males and females mutually 

 aflift each other in building nefts and feeding their young. But this 

 fociety, except In the eagle tribes, commonly continues no longer 

 than their mutual offspring are fully able to provide for themfelves. 

 None of the feathered tribes, as far as we know, unite In bodies, In 

 order to carry on any operation common to the whole. 



Neither do we learn from hiftory that fifhes ever aflbciate for the 

 purpofe of executing any common operation. Many of them, as 

 herrings, falmons, &c. affemble In multitudes at particular feafons 

 ©f the year ; but this aflbciation, to which they are impelled by in- 

 ftindt, has no common objed ; for each individual is ftimulated to 



a£t 



