IMPERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 3 



others, the proper societies for instance, the association is for 

 life. But if I divide societies of insects into perfect and im- 

 perfect, it will, I think, enable me to give you a clearer and 

 better view of the subject. By perfect societies I mean those 

 that are associated in all their states, live in a common habita- 

 tion, and unite their labours to promote a common object; 

 and by imperfect societies, those that are either associated 

 during part of their existence only, or else do not dwell in a 

 common habitation, nor unite their labours to promote a 

 common object. In the present letter I shall confine myself 

 to giving you some account of imperfect societies. 



Imperfect societies may be considered as of five descrip- 

 tions : associations for the sake of company only ; associa- 

 tions of males during the season for pairing; associations 

 formed for the purpose of travelling or emigrating together ; 

 associations for feeding together ; and associations that under- 

 take some common work. 



The first of these associations consists chiefly of insects in their 

 perfect state. The little beetles called whirlwigs ( Gyrinus), 

 which may be seen clustering in groups under warm banks in 

 every river and every pool, and wheeling round and round 

 with great velocity, at your approach dispersing and diving 

 under water, but as soon as you retire, resuming their accus- 

 tomed movements, seem to be under the influence of the 

 social principle, and to form their assemblies for no other pur- 

 pose than to enjoy together, in the sunbeam, the mazy dance. 

 Impelled by the same feeling, in the very depth of winter, 

 even when the earth is covered with snow, the tribes of Tip- 

 ularim (usually, but improperly, called gnats) assemble in 

 sheltered situations at mid-day, when the sun shines, and form 

 themselves into choirs, that alternately rise and fall with rapid 

 evolutions. 1 To see these little aery beings apparently so 

 full of joy and life, and feeling the entire force of the social 

 principle in that dreary season, when the whole animal crea- 

 tion appears to suffer, and the rest of the insect tribes are 

 torpid, always conveys to my mind the most agreeable sen- 

 sations. These little creatures may always be seen at all 



1 See also Markwick in White's Nat. Hist. ii. 256. 



B 2 



