364 THE LIFE OF AN INSECT. 



widely as possible, so as to expose them to all 

 the influences of the air, and then, if they be 

 satisfied, they unfold their wings and take their 

 flight. We might compare this proceeding with 

 that of one of ourselves looking up at the direc- 

 tion of the wind, or tapping the weather-glass in 

 the hall, previous to setting out for the day ! Too 

 much stress, however, it must be added, is not to 

 be laid upon this point ; for while it is unquestion- 

 able that insects have knowledge of the weather, 

 it is of course very difficult to ascertain with 

 certainty whether it is by means of their antenna?, 

 or by the general feeling of their bodies ; ana- 

 logous, perhaps, to what rheumatic persons feel 

 when the wind goes round to the north-east. 



There is a still more singular use of the antennas, 

 which deserves to be mentioned. These organs ap- 

 pear to be the principal instruments of speech, if we 

 may use such a term, or, at any rate, of the com- 

 munication of intelligence. When the soldier ants 

 go out upon their expeditions, and have left the 

 nest, previously to setting off, they touch each 

 other with their antenna) and forehead on the 

 trunk ; and this is their signal for marching, for as 

 soon as ever a soldier feels this tap, he immediately 



