SUPERSTITIONS CONNECTED WITH BEES. 267 



when once the spirit of sound investigation is applied 

 to these vulgar errors, they become so manifestly 

 absurd, that the marvel is how they can possibly 

 have arisen. 



Without doubt, there are many extraordinary facts 

 connected with bees still awaiting the observation 

 and the explanation of explorers in this department 

 of natural history. Problems connected with the 

 working of mind in the lower animals ; the relations 

 between reason and instinct ; the functions of par- 

 ticular organs in these and other insects ; the trans- 

 mission of faculties not possessed by either parent in 

 particular races; the direction and variation in the 

 working of inherent faculties, through the agency of 

 man, are subjects opening up most interesting fields of 

 inquiry, which we would point out to those who have 

 the inclination, leisure, and opportunities for pursuing 

 investigations. We are satisfied that efforts and time 

 thus devoted will be well repaid by the pleasure 

 which springs from knowledge, and will lead in all 

 devout minds to enlarged admiration of the wisdom 

 and beneficence of Him, from whose creative power 

 the varied structures of animal life have come, and 

 from whose infinite resources have been bestowed all 

 those faculties which call forth our astonishment and 

 delight as we study the facts of insect life. The 

 deepest impression on mind and heart will be that 

 embodied in the exclarnation of the ancient Hebrew 

 poet, " O Lord, how manifold are Thy works : in 

 wisdom hast Thou made them all;" 



