66 PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



the larger animals, experience any thing like attach- 

 ment to individuals, is not easily ascertained ; but that 

 they feel the full force of the sentiment which we 

 term patriotism, or the love of the community to which 

 they belong, is evident from the whole series of their 

 proceedings, which all tend to promote the general 

 good. Distress or difficulty falling upon any member 

 of their society, generally excites their sympathy, and 

 they do their utmost to relieve it. M. Latreille once 

 cut off the antennae of an ant; and its companions, evi- 

 dently pitying its sufl'erings, anointed the wounded part 

 with a drop of transparent fluid from their mouth : 

 and whoever attends to what is going forward in the 

 neighbourhood of one of their nests, w ill be pleased 

 to observe the readiness with which they seem dis- 

 posed to assist each other in difficulties. When a 

 burthen is too heavy for one, another will soon come 

 to ease it of part of the weight; and if one is threaten- 

 ed with an attack, all hasten to the spot, to join in re- 

 pelling it. 



The satisfaction they express at meeting after ab- 

 sence is very striking, and gives some degree of indi- 

 viduality to their attachment. M. Huber witnessed 

 the gesticulations of some ants, originally belonging to 

 the same nest, that, having been entirely separated from 

 each other four months, were afterwards brought to- 

 gether. Though this was equal to one-fourth of their 

 existence as perfect insects, they immediately recog- 

 nised each other, saluted mutually with their antenn^Cj 

 and united once more to form one family. 



They are also ever intent to promote each other's 

 welfare, and ready to share with their absent conipa- 



