THE BEE. 145 



of a decidedly higher character than those simple 

 movements and operations performed by the crea- 

 tures placed lower in the animal scale, and though it 

 has hitherto been impossible to distinguish many of 

 the former from truly rational acts, yet we do not 

 consider the whole mental nature of these animated 

 beings entitled to a higher designation than that of 

 instinct. Notwithstanding that it foreshadows those 

 psychical powers and faculties that become developed 

 in the reasoning creatures, yet it wants at least one 

 clearly-defined quality which is now employed, as it 

 appears to us, with great propriety, to stamp the 

 nature of true reason ; and that is educability. 



Insects never improve in their mode of proceed- 

 ing, nor excel one another in the ability with which 

 they perform their labours ; there never was a Bee 

 wiser than another Bee, nor a generation of Bees 

 that effected improvements in the economy of the 

 hive; and if we were able to suggest to the crea- 

 tures an improved modus operandi, it is questionable 

 whether any amount of teaching would have a per- 

 ceptible effect upon them. 



A careful consideration of the nature and pheno- 

 mena of this higher phase of instinct has suggested 

 to us the designation of " rational instinct " as an ap- 

 propriate one to denote its character ; for as soon as 

 the various creatures that are thus endowed attain 

 the imago, or perfect state, they at once instinct- 

 ively or intuitively perceive the relation between 

 the various organs wherewith they are furnished 



H 



