402 PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 
rately active, the number of respirations did not exceed 40 per minute, 
while, when in violent action or a state of excitement, they were from 110 
to 120 per minute. The degree of heat developed by the hive-bee is thus 
always in proportion to the activity of its respiration, which again usually 
depends on the greater or less activity of its motions ; and hence it is in 
summer often 25° Fahr. above that of the atmosphere, and as much oy 
more even in winter, if the bees be in any way excited.* 
And now, having detailed to you thus amply the wonderful history and 
proceedings of the social tribes of the insect world, you will allow, I think, 
that I have redeemed my pledge, when I taught you to expect that this 
history would exceed in interest and variety and marvellous results every 
thing that I had before related to you. I trust, moreover, that you will 
scarcely feel disposed to subscribe to that opinion, though it has the sane. 
tion of some great names, which attributes these almost miraculous in. 
stincts to mere sensation; which tells us that the sensorium of these 
insects is so modelled with respect to the different operations that are 
given them in charge, that it is by the attraction of pleasure alone that they 
are determined to the execution of them; and that, as every circumstance 
relative to the succession of their different labours is preordained, to each 
of them an agreeable sensation is affixed by the Creator ; and that thus, 
when the bees build their cells ; when they sedulously attend to the young 
brood ; when they collect provisions ;—this is the result of no plans, of 
no affection, of no foresight; but that the sole determining motive is the 
enjoyment of an agreeable sensation attached to each of these operations? 
Surely it would be better to resolve all their proceedings at once into a 
direct impulse from the Creator, than to maintain a theory so contrary to 
fact, and which militates against the whole history which M. Huber, who 
adopts this theory from Bonnet, has so ably given of these creatures. 
That they may experience agreeable sensations from their various employ- 
ments, nobody will deny; but that such sensations instruct them how to 
perform their several operations, without any plan previously impressed 
upon their sensorium, is contrary both to reason and experience, They 
have a plan, it is evident ; and that plan, which proves that it is not mere 
sensation, they vary according to circumstances. As to affection—that 
bees are irritable, and feel the passion’ of anger, no one will deny ; that 
they are also susceptible of fear, is erually evident: and if they feel anger 
and fear, why may they not also feel /ove? Further, if they have recourse 
to precautions for the prevention of any evil that seems to threaten them, 
how can we refuse them a degree of foresight ?. Must we also resolve all 
their patriotism, and the singular regard for the welfare of their community 
which seems constantly to actuate them, and the sacrifices, even sometimes 
of themselves, that they make to promote and ensure it, into individual 
self-love? We would not set them up as rivals to man in intelligence, 
foresight, and the affections; but they have that degree of each that 1s 
necessary for their purposes. On account of the difficulties attending all 
theories that give them some degree of these qualities, to resolve all into 
mere sensation is removing one difficulty by a greater. 
1 Newport “On the Temperature of Insects,” in Phil. Trans. 1837, pp. 30% 
811, &e. 
2 Huber, i. 813, 
