92 PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



males and females from the nest — are often disgusted 

 with their present habitation, and seek to establish 

 themselves in a new one : — either the near neighbourhood 

 of enemies of their own species; annoyance from frequent 

 attacks of man or other animals ; their exposure to cold 

 or wet from the removal of some species of shelter ; or 

 the discovery of a station better circumstanced or more 

 abundant in aphides ; — all these may operate as induce- 

 ments to them to change their residence. That this is 

 the case might be inferred from the circumstance noticed 

 by Gould ^, which I have also partly witnessed myself, 

 that they sometimes transport their young brood to a con- 

 siderable distance from their home. But M. Huber, by 

 his interesting observations, has placed this fact beyond 

 all controversy; and his history of their emigrations is 

 enlivened by some traits so singular, that I am impa- 

 tient to relate them to you. They concern chiefly the 

 great hill-ant {F. rti/a)^ though several other species oc- 

 casionally emigrate. 



Some of the neuters having found a spot which they 

 judge convenient for a new habitation, apparently with- 

 out consulting the rest of the society, determine upon an 

 emigration, and thus they compass their intention : The 

 first step is to raise recruits: — with this view they eagerly 

 accost several fellow citizens of their own order, caress 

 them with their antennae, lead them by their mandibles, and 

 evidently appear to propose the journey to them. If they 

 seem disposed to accompany them, the recruiting officer, 

 for so he may be called, prepares to carry off his recruit, 

 who, suspending himself upon his mandibles, hangs coiled 



' Gould, 42. 



