252 NORTH AMERICAN INSECTS. 
and then let them go back to the hill, when some of their 
brethren commenced moistening the wounded ‘parts with 
their saliva, which probably is their remedy. So, too, ants 
which had been separated from the hill under glass for four 
months were brought back, and were immediately recog- 
nized by their brethren, who commenced a mutual caress- 
ing with their antenne and jaws, while general satisfaction 
and joy was distinctly seen throughout the whole commu- 
nity. 
Again, the ants, which inhabit hills favorably situated 
for finding plenty of food and drink, are seen to play and 
frolic with one another like little dogs or kittens. On fine, 
sunny days they may be seen in crowds running about on 
the outside of their nests, the antennz of each moving with 
ereat rapidity, while some with their fore feet caress the 
heads of others, and some rise up in pairs on their hind feet, 
take hold of one another with their jaws, throw each other 
upon the ground, and, in short, wrestle like turners without 
injuring one another. 
With regard to their nourishment, also, or at least their 
need of it, the antennze seem to be the principal organs of 
their language. Having no store-house like the bees, those 
ants which remain at home are obliged to wait until the 
others bring home food for them, which generally consists 
of small insects, of which each of the resident ants take a 
morsel. But if those who go in search of food find only 
fruit, or large bodies, such as worms, caterpillars, dead 
mice, or lizards, which they can not carry home, they suck 
out all their liquid substance, preserve it in their own 
stomachs, and, when they get back to the hill, discharge it 
by drops into the mouths of their comrades. When one is 
hungry, therefore, it touches with the antenne that one by 
whom it desires to be fed, and the latter, after such an ad- 
monition, opens its mouth and feeds the former with the 
fluid substance it has preserved in its stomach, while the 
