XVI PREFACE 
To the individual who wishes to be ac- 
quainted with the history of these in- 
sects, it is no slight advantage, to be 
enabled to designate the species, without 
lying under the necessity of entering 
into long and minute descriptions; he 
can then devote himself entirely to the 
study of those laws by which these vari- 
ous tribes are governed, undertake new 
researches into their habitudes and in- 
dustry, and have his attention solely oc- 
cupied with the phenomena their in- 
stinct presents. 
If I have made any progress in the 
History of Ants, I stand, in a considerable 
degree, indebted to the extensive works 
of M. Latreille, who, independent of the 
excellent descriptions, and complete clas- 
sification he has given us of these in- 
sects, has, by his observations, con- 
tributed to remove several popular 
errors. 
One of our contemporaries, trusting to 
a fertile and brilliant imagination, has 
been pleased so far to honour these little 
