94 BEHAVIOUR OF ANTS TO ONE ANOTHER. 



collections of independent individuals, nor even tem- 

 porary associations like the flocks of migratory birds ; 

 but organised communities labouring with the utmost 

 harmony for the common good. The remarkable 

 analogies which, in so many ways, they present to our 

 human societies, render them peculiarly interesting to 

 us, and one cannot but long to know more of their 

 character, how the world appears to them, and to what 

 extent they are conscious and reasonable beings. 



For my own part I cannot make use of Mr. G rote's 

 argument, because I have elsewhere attempted to show 

 that, even as regards man, the case is not by any means 

 clear. But however this may be, various observers 

 have recorded in the case of ants instances of attach- 

 ment and affection. 



Forel lays it down as a general rule that if ants are 

 slightly injured, or rather unwell, their companions take 

 care of them : on the other hand, if they are badly 

 wounded or seriously ill, they are carried away from 

 the nest, and left to perish. 



Latreille, also, makes the following statement: — 

 ' Le sens de I'odorat,' he says, ^ ' se manifestant 

 d'une maniere aussi sensible, je voulois profiter 

 de cette remarque pour en decouvrir le siege. On a 

 soupponne depuis longtemps qu'il residoit dans les 

 antennes. Je les arrachai a plusieurs fourmis fauves 

 Guvrieres, aupres du nid desquelles je me trouvois. Je 

 \ris aussitot ces petits animaux que j'avois ainsi mutilea 



' Sift. Nat. des Fourmis, p. 41. 



