THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 65 



my hand, made a careful examination of it by the aid of a small pocket 

 microscope of twenty diameters. On the superior and inferior aspects of 

 the abdomen, bet\veen the second and third Semites, were observed two 

 deep wounds which met each other in the interior, the mandibles having 

 penetrated completely. 



Several instances of the kind occurred. It cannot be assumed that 

 these wounds were purely accidentak It might be possible that accidents 

 of the kind would occur once in a long time through inexperience, but to 

 argue that insects so habituated to such manipulations as the neuters 

 assuredly are, would be likely to make such mistakes, when it is known 

 — especially in the case of larvae, whose integuments and tissues are so 

 delicate and yielding by reason of early age, that the greatest caution is 

 necessary, is, in the estimation of the writer, perfectly preposterous. 

 Admitting, for the sake of argument, an occasional occurrence of the 

 kind, ^ successive repetition of it could hardly be justified. But on the 

 ground that a purpose is thereby subserved, there is no doubt the object 

 had in view is justified by the means employed for its accomplishment. 



What this purpose is the writer will endeavor to show in a few care- 

 fully drawn opinions. It is a well established fact, as an abundance of 

 well authenticated instances could be cited by the writer confirmatory 

 thereof, that many animals of many families and orders, both in the 

 domesticated and undomesticated conditions, are wont to destroy their 

 disabled and v/ounded comrades. In wild animals, in many cases, the 

 destruction seems to be warranted in order to preserve the herd or pack 

 from the close pursuit of enemies. Mr. Charles Darwin, in his work 

 entitled '' Origin of Species," if I mistake not the work, remarks that 

 *' Instinct or reason may suggest the expelling an injured companion, lest 

 "beasts of prey, including man, should be tempted to follow the troop." 



In tame animals, of which some well authenticated examples are 

 recorded in the case of the hog, cow, &c., the habit is undoubtedly one 

 which affords a beautiful and forcible illustration of what is known as the 

 "survival of instincts." 



Audubon, in writing of the Wild Turkey ( Meleagris gallopavo), which 

 is found in great abundance in the far West, observes substantially that 

 the old males in their marches often destroy the young by picking the 

 head, but do not venture to disturb the full-grown and vigorous. The 

 feeble and immature being an encumbrance to the party, it is obvious 

 that their destruction would tend to the latter's preservation. Should 



