THE LANGUAGE OF ANTS 



the column. It halts, 

 thrusts out its anten- 

 nae, and shows signs 

 of excitement. As an 

 experiment, the fin- 

 ger is moved slowly 

 within an inch or 

 more of the ant. Its 

 antennae wave rapid- 

 ly. Its head and body 

 jerk with eager in- 

 tentness. It stretches 

 forth its head, and 

 reaches out its fore 

 legs, with jaws eager- 

 ly agape and antennae 

 quivering (Fig. 60). 

 The whole attitude 

 and every bodily de- 

 tail clearly express to 

 the observer the idea 

 of vigilance, of suspi- 

 cion, of a challenge, 

 of a purpose to repel. 

 As plainly as if it had 

 spoken, the sentinel ! ; 

 has said: "I suspect 

 you! I test you! I 



bid you begone !" We Fig. 60 MIMETIC LANGUAGE IN ANTS 

 Onlookers understand The S esture of repulsion and defence 



this. Is it supposable that the ants themselves do not 

 understand ? 



From the tree-path we turn to the conical mound 



123 



