ENGINEERING METHODS 



-something, in fact, that nearly approached and cer- 

 tainly suggested a process of adapting means to ends, 

 that bore the earmarks of reasoning? 



Again, their swift and perfect reaction from the first 

 shock and excitement of a disaster that well might have 

 overwhelmed ambition and endeavor was noteworthy. 

 They went straight on with the ordinary duties of life 

 in the uninjured part of their city, and took up the ex- 

 traordinary ones without a sign, understandable by 

 human intelligence, of grief, or passion, or discourage- 

 ment, or deep emotion. No time was wasted in useless 

 moping, no vigor in aimless schemes. At once they 

 aroused themselves to action, and attacked the emer- 

 gency with admirable energy and poise. Among men 

 such self-control has been called the fruit of philosophy. 

 If such it be, will we be able to deny our mound-making 

 ants the title of insect philosopher? Certainly they are 

 apt are they automatic? imitators of the philosopher's 

 role. And not to a few rare spirits, the sages of the 

 commune, but to all and equally is the honor due. 

 Nature maintains in the ant city Voltaire's ideal con- 

 dition that a philosopher should live only among 

 philosophers. 



A curious observation as to how active work may 

 affect the physical condition of ants was made upon 

 three mounds listed for daily special study. For 

 several days they were found in such an unusually 

 excited condition that they were down in my note-book 

 as the "hysterical hills." The cause of this agitation 

 evaded all inquiry, but the cure was most interesting. 

 Rains that succeeded the first dry days of our coming 

 were observed to have imparted activity in building 



operations to a number of mounds. The prediction 



51 



