The Swarm 
natural at first, is it not for the very simple 
reason that it really explains almost nothing ? 
I will not allude to the material errors this 
chapter contains; I will only ask whether 
the mere fact of the bees accepting a 
common existence, while doing each other 
the least possible harm, does not in itself 
argue a certain intelligence? And does not 
this intelligence appear the more remarkable 
to us as we more closely examine the fashion 
in which these ‘‘ten thousand individuals” 
avoid hurting each other and end by giving 
assistance? And further, is this not the 
history of ourselves; and does not all that 
the angry old naturalist says apply equally 
to every one of our human societies? And, 
yet once again: if the bee is indeed to be 
credited with none of the feelings or ideas 
that we have ascribed to it, shall we not 
very willingly shift the ground of our 
wonder? If we must not admire the bee, 
we will then admire nature; the moment 
must always come when admiration can be 
no longer denied us, nor shall there be 
loss to us through our having retreated, 
or waited, 
79 
