WITH THE PUCERONS. 209 
does not, in this case, make use of the 
fore-feet. This language is well under- 
stood by these insects; even the larve, 
who know how to demand their nourish- 
ment, (by raising their head, as we have 
before remarked, ) erect themselves, and 
present their mouths, as soon as they per- 
ceive the ant striking with its antenne 
the upper part of their body. 
The antennal language would require, 
without doubt, deep study, should we 
be desirous to ascertain every impression 
which it is susceptible of communicat- 
ing. It is, like all the other signs I have 
observed amongst ants, founded not 
upon visible gestures, but upon the con- 
tact or approximation of certain parts ; 
since it was necessary it should prove of 
utility in the interior of the ant-hill, 
where the light of day never penetrates : 
hence it happens, that an ant can only 
be understood by one of its companions 
at the same time, but the information 
which it conveys, passes from one to the 
