PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 87 



bias, and modify in some respects their usual instincts, 

 rendering them familiar with objects which, had they 

 been educated at home, they w ould have feared, and 

 causing- them to love those whom in that case they 

 would have abhorred. — It occasions, however, no fur- 

 ther change in their character, since the master and 

 slave, brought up with the same care and under the 

 same superintendence, are associated in the mixed for- 

 micary under laws entirely opposite^. 



Unparalleled and unique in the animal kingdom as 

 this history may appear, you will scarcely deem the 

 next I have to relate less singular and less worthy of 

 admiration. That ants should have their milch cattle 

 is as extraordinary as that they should have slaves. 

 Here, perhaps, you may again feel a fit of incredulity 

 shake you ; — but the evidence for the fact I am now 

 stating being abundant and satisfactory, I flatter my- 

 self it will not shake you long. 



The loves of the ants and the aphides (for these last 

 are the kine in question) have long been celebrated ; 

 and that there is a connection between them you may 

 at any time, in the proper season, convince yourself; 

 for you will always find the former very busy on those 

 trees and plants on which the latter abound : and if 

 you examine more closely, you will discover that their 

 object in thus attending upon them is to obtain the sac- 

 charine fluid, which may well be denominated their 

 milk'', that they secrete. 



This fluid, which is scarcely inferior to honey in 



* See Hubcr, chap, vii — xi. 



" The ant ascends the tree, says Linne, that it may milk its cows, (ho 

 yiphides, not kUl them. Sysl, Nut. 962, 3. 



