VII 

 THE PROGRESS OF THE RACE 



99 



BEFORE closing this book — as we have closed the hive on 

 the torpid silence of winter — I am anxious to meet the 

 objection invariably urged by those to whom we reveal 

 the astounding industry and policy of the bees. Yes, they will 

 say, that is all very wonderful ; but then, it has never been other- 

 wise. The bees have for thousands of years dwelt under remark- 

 able laws, but during those thousands of years the laws have 

 not varied. For thousands of years they have constructed their 

 marvellous combs, to which we can add nothing, from which 

 we can take nothing ; combs that unite in equal perfection 

 the science of the chemist, the geometrician, the architect, 

 and the engineer ; but on the sarcophagi, on Egyptian stones 

 and papyri, we find drawings of combs that are identical in 

 every particular. Name a single fact that will show the 

 least progress, a single instance of their having contrived 

 some new feature or modified their habitual routine, and we 

 will cheerfully yield, and admit that they not only possess 

 an admirable instinct, but have also an intellect worthy to 

 approach that of man, worthy to share in one knows not 

 what higher destiny than awaits unconscious and submissive 

 matter. 



