THE DAINTINESS OF ANTS 



Ants are particularly liable to attack of parasites — a 

 danger increased by imprisonment. As these enemies 

 pass from one to another, and thus become a common 

 peril, every individual has an interest in the personal 

 health and habits of his neighbors. This is shown in 

 the friendly offices here described. We may easily think 

 of men as saying, "My neighbor's premises are untidy; 

 he lacks the means and the disposition to keep clean; 

 he is infected — what is that to me?" But citizens of 

 an emmet commune are apt to be superior to such self- 

 ishness, and seem to feel instinctively — at least so to 

 act — that the pernicious habits and personal misfort- 

 unes of the individual highly concern his fellows and 

 the public. Perhaps this is fortified by a natural amia- 



ODD TOILET ATTITUDES 



Ants cleansing the legs and the stinging organs 

 61 



