92 PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



home. But M. Huber, by his interesting observations, 

 has placed this fact beyond all controversy ; and his 

 history of their emigrations is enlivened by some traits 

 so singular, that I am impatient to relate them to you. 

 They concern chiefly the great hill-ant (F. rufa)^ though 

 several other species occasionally emigrate. 



Some of the neuters having found a spot which they 

 judge convenient for a new habitation, apparently with- 

 out consulting the rest of the society, determine upon 

 an emigration, and thus they compass tlieir intention: 

 The first step is to raise recruits : — with this view they 

 eagerly accost several fellow citizens of their own or- 

 der, caress them with their antennae, lead them by their 

 mandibles, and evidently appear to propose the journey 

 to them. If they seem disposed to accompany them, 

 the recruiting officer, for so it may be called, prepares 

 to carry off his recruit, who, suspending himself upon 

 his mandibles, hangs coiled up spirally under his neck; 

 — all this passes in an amicable manner after mutual 

 salutations. Sometimes, however, the recruiter takes 

 the other by surprise, and drags him from the ant-hill 

 without giving him time to consider or resist. When 

 arrived at the proposed habitation, the suspended ant 

 uncoils itself, and, quitting its conductor, becomes a re- 

 cruiter in its turn. The pair return to the old nest, 

 and each carries olf a fresh recruit, which being arrived 

 at the spot joins in the undertaking : — thus the num- 

 ber of recruiters keeps progressively increasing, till the 

 path between the new and the old city is full of goers 

 and comers, each of the former laden with a recruit. 

 What a singular and amusing scene is then exhibited 

 of the little people thus employed ! When an emigra* 



