The Progress of the Race 
the inevitable recoil. This progress, 
whose existence among the most intelli- 
gent species can scarcely be denied, has 
perhaps no aim beyond its initial impetus, 
and knows not whither it goes. But at 
least, in a world where nothing save a few 
facts of this kind indicates a precise will, 
it is significant enough that we should see 
certain creatures rising thus, slowly and 
continuously ; and should the bees have 
revealed to us only this mysterious spiral 
of light in the overpowering darkness, 
that were enough to induce us not to re- 
gret the time we have given to their little 
gestures and humble habits, which seem 
so far away and are yet so nearly akin to 
our grand passions and arrogant destinies. 
[113 ] 
It may be that these things are al] vain ; 
and that our own spiral of light, no less 
than that of the bees, has been kindled for 
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