174 PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



which the exertion of its recent flight has caused ; and Mr. 

 Newport found that in the hive-bee, when very moderately 

 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 or more even in winter, if the bees be in any way 

 excited. 1 



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 sanction of some great names, 

 which attributes these almost miraculous instincts 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 suc- 

 cession 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 se- 

 dulously attend to the young brood ; when they collect pro- 

 visions ; — this is the result of no plans, of no affection, of no 

 foresight ; but that the sole determining motive is the enjoy- 

 ment of an agreeable sensation attached to each of these 

 operations. 2 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 



1 Newport " On the Temperature of Insects," in Phil. Trans. 1837, p. 309. 

 311, &c. 



2 Huber, i. 3 1 3. 



