The Relation of Science and Religion.pdf - Online Christian Library

200 SCIENCE AND RELZGZON.vantage of greater size and muscular strength,as well as prehensile power by the use of theirtails. With such characteristics as have beenbriefly described, there is little wonder thata high place in the scale of intelligence hasbeen claimed for these small insects. Sir JohnLubbock, who has so patiently conducted hisobservations as to their modes of life, hasstated this in the following manner,-" Theanthropoid apes no doubt approach more toman in bodily structure than do any otheranimals; but when we consider the habits ofants, their social organization, their large communities,elaborate habitations, their roadways,their possession of domestic animals, and evenin some cases of slaves, it must be admittedthat they have a fair claim to rank next toman in the scale of intelligence."" Whether,even with all this evidence., we may be able torank the ants quite as high as Lubbock heresuggests, may be open to question. Theremay, for example, be reasonable debate whetherthe dog does not present still higher signsof intelligence, but it says a great deal for theants that debate in the case should be possible.A question of very great scientific im-* Scient. Lects. p. 68.