890 RELATION OF ANTS 
sucker, and that the ants came up im- 
mediately, to lap the juice which trans- 
uded; but this conjecture, however pro- 
bable it then appeared, has not been 
verified. ‘These insects, which had for 
so many years escaped our notice, were 
at all times. known by the ants to be. 
beings endowed with life and sensation. I 
was very much astonished when I saw,, 
for the first time, an ant approach a gall. 
insect, and perform with its antenne, on 
its lower extremity, the same manceu- 
vres, which it executed in respect to the 
pucerons. After having a few moments 
caressed this insect, I saw proceed from 
its back, a large drop of fluid, which the 
ant immediately lapped up. I observed 
the same occurrence, with reference to 
other gall insects on the same tree, 
during several seasons. ‘They were sta- 
tioned in great number upon an enlarged 
part of the trunk. ‘The ants came there 
constantly to receive their provisions, 
which was fully confirmed by my obsery- » 
ing these insects upon an orange tree, 
