The Life of the Bee 
that account not impossible. None such 
being known at present, we conclude that 
we stand on the topmost pinnacle of life 
on this earth; but this belief, after all, 
is by no means infallible. I am not 
assuming that when our actions are un- 
reasonable, or contemptible, we merely 
fall into the snares that such a creature 
has laid; though it is not inconceivable 
that this should one day be proved true. 
On the other hand, it cannot be wise to 
deny intelligence to the bee because it has 
not yet succeeded in distinguishing us 
from the great ape or the bear. It is 
certain that there are, in us and about 
us, influences and powers no less dis- 
similar whose distinction escapes us as 
readily. 
And finally, to end this apology, where- 
in I seem somewhat to have fallen into 
the error I laid to Sir John Lubbock’s 
charge, does not the capacity for folly so 
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