. The study of animal life [microform]. Zoology; Zoologie. CHAP. V Social Life of Animals 75 they exhibit more sagacity than can be explained by heredi- tary habit, for they often adapt their actions to novel condi- tions in a manner which must be described as intelligent. Especially when we remember that the beaver belongs to a somewhat stupid rodent race, are we inclined to believe that it is the cleverest of its kind because the most socialised. 5. Bees.—Many centuries have passed since men first listened to the humming of the honey-bees, and found in the hive a symbol of the strength of un
. The study of animal life [microform]. Zoology; Zoologie. CHAP. V Social Life of Animals 75 they exhibit more sagacity than can be explained by heredi- tary habit, for they often adapt their actions to novel condi- tions in a manner which must be described as intelligent. Especially when we remember that the beaver belongs to a somewhat stupid rodent race, are we inclined to believe that it is the cleverest of its kind because the most socialised. 5. Bees.—Many centuries have passed since men first listened to the humming of the honey-bees, and found in the hive a symbol of the strength of unity. From Aristotle's time till now naturalists have been studying the life of bees, without exhausting either its facts or its suggestions. The society is very large and complex, yet very stable and successful. Its customs seem now like those of children at play, and now like the real- ised dreams of social refor- mers. The whole life gives one the impression of an old- established business in which all contingencies have been so often experienced that they have ceased to cause hesitation or friction. There is indeed much mortality, some apparent cruelty, and the constantly recurring ad- venture of migration ; but though hive may war against hive, inter-civic competition has virtually ceased, and the life proceeds smoothly with the hannony and effectiveness of a perfected organisation. The mother-bee, whom wc call a " queen "—though she is without the wits and energy of a ruler—is to this extent of the community, that, by her prolific egg-laying, she increases or restores the population. \'ery sluggish in tlieir ordinary life are the numerous males or ?• drones,' one of whom, fleet and vigorous beyond his fellows, w ill pair. G. 16.—Honey-bee {Afits mellifica). A,_ queen ; 1!, drone ; C, worker. (From Chambers's Khij\/o/>.) » 1 m IP ^m. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for
Size: 1344px × 1860px
Photo credit: © The Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1902
