98 ANIMAL INTELLIGENCE. 



It is not a little surprising to see that the ants bring in not 

 only seeds of large size and fallen grain, but also green capsules, 

 the torn stalks of which show that they have been freshly 

 gathered from the plant. The manner in which they accomplish 

 this feat is as follows. An ant ascends the stem of a fruiting 

 plant of shepherd's-purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), let us say, 

 and selects a well-filled but green pod about midway up the 

 stem, those below being ready to shed their seeds at a touch. 

 Then, seizing it in its jaws, and fixing its hind legs firmly as a 

 pivot, it contrives to turn round and round, and so strain the 

 fibres of the fruit-stalk that at length they snap. It then de- 

 scends to the stem, patiently backing and turning upwards 

 agaiu as often as the clumsy and disproportionate burden 

 becomes wedged between the thickly set stalks, and joins the 

 line of its companions on their way to the nest. In this manner 

 capsules of chickweed (Stellaria media) and entire calyces, con- 

 taining the nutlets of calarnint, are gathered ; two ants also 

 sometimes combine their efforts, when one stations itself near 

 the base of the peduncle and gnaws it at the point of greatest 

 tension, while the other hauls upon and twists it. I have 

 never seen a capsule severed from its stalk by cutting alone, 

 and the mandibles of this ant are perhaps incompetent to per- 

 form such a task. I have occasionally seen ants engaged in 

 cutting the capsules of certain plants, drop them, and allow their 

 companions below to carry them away ; and this corresponds 

 with the curious account given by ./Elian of the manner in 

 which the spikelets of corn are severed and thrown down ' to 

 the people below,' TO) 8r//jua r<5 KO.TW. 



The recognition of the principle of the division of 

 labour which the latter observation supplies, is further 

 proved by the following quotation from the same author. 

 A dead grasshopper which was being carried into their 

 nest was 



Too large to pass through the door, so they tried to dismember 

 it. Failing in this, several ants drew the wings and legs as far 

 back as possible, while others gnawed through the mu cles 

 where the strain was greatest. They succeeded at last in thus 

 pulling it in. 



The same thing is strikingly shown by the following 

 quotation from Lespes : 



If the road from the place where they are gathering their 



