CHAPTER VII. 



POWER OF COMMUNICATION. 



The Social Hymenoptera, according to Messrs. Kirby 

 and Spence,' ' have the means of comnaunicating to 

 each other information of various occvirrences, and use 

 a kind of language which is mutually understood, 

 . . . . and is not confined merely to giving intel- 

 ligence of the approach or absence of danger ; it is 

 also co-extensive with all their other occasions for 

 communicating their ideas to each other.' 



Huber assures us as regards Ants^ that he has 

 'frequently seen the antennae used on the field of 

 battle to intimate approaching danger, and to ascertain 

 their own party when mingled with the enemy ; they 

 are also employed in the interior of the ant-hill to 

 apprise their companions of the presence of the sun, so 

 favom-able to the development of the larvte, in their 

 excursions and emigrating to indicate their route, in 

 their recruitings to determine the time of departure,' 

 &c. Elsewhere also he says ^ ' that should an Ant fall 

 in with any of her associates from the nest they put 

 her in the right way by the contact of their antennse.' 



• Introduction to Entonwlogij, ii. p. 50. ^ Loe, cit. p. 206. 

 ' Loo. cit. p 157. 



