OF INSECTS IN GENERAB. 
Q1 S 
go, are fo uniform, and that fucceffion of actions whicli 
-we fee them perform, are fo little varied, that nature 
feems to have deftined them to ad a fubordinate part in 
the great republic cf animals. If their hiltory fometimes 
exhibits them varying their procedure, and accommodat- 
ing themfelves to circumftances, the fphere of their ad- 
drefs feems to be confined within narrow limits ; and it 
is feldom that they attrad our admiration by any extra- 
ordinary efforts of fagacity. The bee and the ant prefent 
llriking inftances of affiduity in labour; they have, how- 
ever, but ouefingle method of operating, and, withdrawn 
from that, can turn to no other. A bee taken out of the 
hive is totally helplefs and inadive ; far from difplaying 
the fagacity of the dog, it feems incapable of giving the 
fmalleft. variation to its inftinds. In the purfuits of the. 
.latter animal, there appears lomething like choice; in the 
labours of the former, the whole appears like neceffity or 
compullion *. 
The conformation of the whole infed tribe feems alfo 
to argue its inferiority to many other parts of animated 
nature. In the external and interrial ftrudure of the 
body of one of thefe fmall animals, where every member 
appears completely formed, and co-operates with the reft 
in carrying on the vital fundions, there is no doubt d if— 
played a very wonderful organization. Infeds, however, 
of all animals, are perhaps the moll imperfedly formed ; 
nor is this afl'ertion founded on any inveftigation made 
upon thefe minute creatures by means of the eye, or the 
knife of the anatemift ; it is obvioully deducible from 
their capacity of fubfifling after being deprived of many 
of thofe members and organs, which, in the higher ranks 
of 
Goldfmith's Nat, Hiftory, Vcl. VII. p. *36. 
