PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 403 
That these creatures from mere selfishness build their combs, replenish 
them with the fruit of their unwearied labours, attend so assiduously to 
the nurture of the young brood, lavish their caresses upon their queen, 
prevent all her wants, give a portion of the honey they have collected to 
those that remain in the hives, assist each other, defend their common 
dwelling, and’ are ready to sacrifice themselves for the public good—is an 
anomaly in rerum natura that ought never to be admitted, unless esta- 
plished by the most irrefragable demonstration ; and I think you will not 
be disposed without full proof to yield yourself to a mere theory, so con- 
tradictory of all the facts we know relative to this subject, 
After all, there are mysteries, as to the primum mobile, amongst these 
social tribes, that with all our boasted reason we cannot fathom ; nor 
develop satisfactorily the motives that urge them to fulfil in so remarkable 
though diversified a way their different destinies. One thing is clear to 
demonstration, that by these creatures and their instincts the power, wis- 
dom, and goodness of the Great Farner of the universe are loudly 
proclaimed ; the atheist and infidel confuted; the believer confirmed in 
his faith and trust in Providence, which he thus beholds watching, with 
incessant care, over the welfare of the meanest of his creatures ; and from 
which he may conclude that he, the prince of the creation, will never be 
overlooked or forsaken: and from them what lessons may be learned of 
patriotism and. self-deyotion to the public good; of loyalty; of prudence, 
temperance, diligence, and self-denial. But it is time at length to put an 
end to this long disquisition. 
Tam, &c. 
