244 INSECT MISCELLANIES. 



dence, and are every where accompanied by a mul- 

 titude of workers, who follow their steps with cease- 

 less solicitude. Some, however, attempt to retain 

 and reconduct them to the ant-hill ; but the greater 

 part content themselves with simply escorting them. 

 They offer them nourishment for the last time, and 

 render them the last token of their care and af- 

 fection.' 



Again he says, ' disorder and agitation are now 

 manifest in the ant-hill ; the bustle increases every 

 moment. The winged insects climb with alacrity 

 the adjacent plants, followed by a numerous train 

 of workers, who are continually running from one 

 male to another, touching them with their antennae, 

 and offering them food. The males, at length, quit 

 the paternal roof, and take flight as from one general 

 impulse, in which they are quickly followed by the 

 females. The winged tribe soon disappear. The 

 workers retrace, for some instants, the steps of 

 these highly favoured beings, to whom they have 

 shown such extreme care and attention, and whom 

 they are never destined to see more.' — ' When the 

 weather is favourable (not below 67° Fahr.), the 

 labourers, who seem to be aware of it, form several 

 apertures in the ant-hill, to give ready passage to 

 the crowd that are about to quit it. The males and 

 females may be then seen coming to take air at the 

 entrance. The hour of departure arrives : they all 

 take flight. The workers alone re-enter the nest 

 and close the entrances.'* 



According to our observations, on the other hand, 

 the workers, so far from ever facilitating the exit, 

 much less the departure of the winged ones, more 

 particularly the females, guard them most assidu- 

 ously in order to prevent it ; and are only forced to 

 acquiesce in it when the winged ones become too 



* Huber on Ants, p. 99. 



