PACKAni).] MENTAL POWERS OF INSECTS. 369 



viewing the dreadful and disastrous condition of liis fellow 

 laborers, he seems to understand the true nature of the mis- 

 fortune, and turning from tlie irremediable calamity, hastens 

 down tiie inclined plane into the grass weeds, l)e3ond the 

 reach of further observation. Quite a number of them were 

 seen to examine and hastily fly from tlic entrance of this 

 destructive trap." 



That this story is not overdrawn is proved l)y a similar 

 experience of Mr. J. D. Hague, of San Francisco, related in 

 "Nature" (April 10, 1873). Being annoyed l:)y thirty or 

 forty ants on a shelf, he killed some and maimed others. 

 "The effect of this was immediate and unexpected. As soon 

 as tliose ants that were approaching arrived near to where 

 their fellows lay dead and suffering, they turned and fled 

 with all possible haste. In half an liour the wall al)ove the 

 mantelshelf was cleared of ants. 



"During the space of an hour or two the colony from 

 below continued to ascend, until reaching the lower beveled 

 edge of tlie shelf, at which point the more timid individuals, 

 although unable to see the vase, somehow became aware of 

 trouble ami turned about without further investigation ; while 

 the more daring advanced hesitatingly just to tlie upper edge 

 of the shelf, where, extending their antennae and stretching 

 their necks, they seemed to peep cautiously over the edge 

 until beholding their suffering companions, when they too 

 turned and followed the others, expressing by their ))ehavior 

 great excitement and terror. An hour or two later the path 

 or trail leading from the lower colony to the vase was almost 

 entirely free from ants. 



"I killed one or two ants on their path, striking them with 

 ray finger, but leaving no visible trace. The effect of this 

 was that as soon as an ant ascending towards the shelf, 

 reached the spot where one had been killed, it gave signs 

 immediately of great disturbance, and returned directly at 

 the highest speed possible. 



24 17 



