HOW ANTS COMMUNICATE 



Huber's suggestion, which has been supported by 

 other observers, was that Atropos has the gift of making 

 a sound so like the " piping ' : of queen bees that the 

 workers are deceived thereby, and stand inactive and 





* 



i -V 



-V : 



V V 



Fig. 63 DEATH'S-HEAD MOTH WHICH MIMICS THE PIPING 



OF A QUEEN BEE 



seemingly fascinated, as is their wont under the real 

 royal notes, while the moth works its will in their house- 

 hold. [Hu. 1, p. 312.] How strangely this bit of natural 

 history suggests the stories of witch and enchantress 

 that were wont to awe our credulous ancestors! Or, 

 much to its advantage, did Atropos thus prove that 

 "music hath charms to soothe the savage breast"? But 

 the "music," like that which satisfies the average savage, 



139 



