x . PREFACE 
If the reader, however, experience the 
same pleasure in the perusal of this work, 
as I did in transcribing it for the press, 
both parties will be satisfied, and I 
shall have the gratification of knowing 
that my labour has not been unavailing, 
or my time misemployed. 
The additional notes are not what I 
was desirous they should be. I hoped to 
have made some addition to the History 
of Ants, or at least to have confirmed 
some of the very remarkable facts re- 
corded in the present volume, particu- 
larly that of the female ants voluntarily 
depriving themselves of their wings after 
impregnation; but I lament that con- 
tinued ill health prevented my making 
those exertions necessary to attain this 
object. 
JI regret that, during my residence at 
Geneva, I was not personally acquainted 
with our author, who resides in the 
neighbourhood of that city, and who 
would doubtless have felt much pleasure 
in supplying me with additional inform- 
