HOW ANTS CARRY ON WAR 



that was overlooked, or because one or both parties were 

 too far saturated and seasoned in their own native nest- 

 odor to respond to the cologne treatment the fact was 

 that the experiments led to opposite conclusions. 



However, I had little doubt then, and have none now, 

 that the original inference was substantially true in the 

 case of wars between separate communes. The ants 

 were recognized by a special odor which they absorbed 

 during residence, and which was stronger or weaker 

 according to age and environment and conditions un- 

 known. How acute and delicate and accurate must 

 be the sense organs seated in the antenna?, which are in- 

 struments of recognition, the facts related will show. 



"He does not carry the odor of my species, my com- 

 mune, or my caste. Therefore, we will fight!" To a 

 human philosopher meditating upon these things, it 

 seems a small difference on which to divide two such 

 closely related creatures into hostile camps. But may- 

 hap he who counts this for abatement of the common 

 fame of ants for wisdom might find, in the history of 

 human wars, originating causes as insignificant and 

 unreasonable. 



