Curiosities & wonders > New observations on the natural history of bees

194 FORMATION OF SWARMS.
moment; they engaged in several combats#
and there were no swarms.
Recurring to subtleties, we may perhaps*
suggest the cause of this apparent contra-*!
diction. But the more we admire the wisai
dispositions of the Author of nature, in the!) f
laws he has prescribed to the industry ofc >
animals, the greater reserve is necessary ini
admitting any theory adverse to this beauti¬
ful system, and the more must we distrusiji
that facility of imagination from which weijt
think by embellishment to attain the eluci-ji
dation of facts.
Naturalists in general, who have madejl:
animals the subject of long observation, andjl
those in particular who have chose insects ji'
for their favourite study, have too readily
ascribed to them our sentiments and pas-j'
sions, and even our designs. Yielding to
admiration, and disgusted perhaps by the
contempt with which insects are treated,!
they have conceived themselves obliged to
justify the consumption of time bestowed on
this pursuit, and they have depicted differ¬
ent traits of the industry of these minute |
animals, with the colours inspired by a warm
imagination: Nor is the celebrated Reau¬
mur even to be acquitted of such a charge.