The Life of the Bee 
future. When we discover a cause as 
disinterested for the follies of men, we are 
apt to call them by another name. 
[44] 
However, the whole truth must be told. 
In the midst of the marvels of their indus- 
try, their policy, their sacrifice, one thing 
exists that must always check and weaken 
our admiration ; and this is the indifference 
with which they regard the misfortunes or 
death of their comrades. There is a 
strange duality in the character of the 
bee. In the heart of the hive all help 
and love each other. They are as united 
as the good thoughts that dwell in the 
same soul. Wound one of them, and 
a thousand will sacrifice themselves to 
avenge its injury. But outside the hive 
they no longer recognise each other. 
Mutilate them, crush them,— or rather, 
do nothing of the kind; it would be a 
152 
