viii PREFACE. 



Bates, Dr. Gunther, Mr. Kikby, and Mr. Waterhouse, 

 for their kind assistance in the preparation of the 

 plates. 



As regards bees and wasps, I have confined myself 

 for want of space to the simple record of my own 

 observations. 



I am fully conscious that experiments conducted 

 as mine have been leave much to be desii'ed, and 

 are scarcely fair upon the ants. In their native 

 haunts and under natural conditions, more especially 

 in warmer climates, they may well be expected not 

 only to manifest a more vivid life, but to develop 

 higher powers. 



I think, however, that my volume will at least show 

 the great interest of the subject, and the numerous 

 problems which still remain to be solved. 



High Elms, Down, Kent: 

 Octoier 18, 1881. 



