PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 65 



the formicary, previously to setting off, they touch each 

 other on the trunk with their antennae and forehead; 

 this is the signal for marching; for, as soon as any 

 one has received it, he is immediately in motion. When 

 they have any discovery to communicate, they strike with 

 them those that they meet in a particularly impressive 

 manner. If a hungry ant wants to be fed, it touches with 

 its two antennae, moving them very rapidly, those of the 

 individual from which it expects its meal : and not only 

 ants understand this language, but even Aphides and 

 Cocci, which are the milch kine of our little pismires, do 

 the same, and will yield them their saccharine fluid at 

 the touch of these imperative organs. The helpless lar- 

 vae also of the ants are informed by the same means when 

 they may open their mouths to receive their food. 



Next to their language, and scarcely different from it, 

 are the modes by which they express their affections and 

 aversions. Whether ants, with man and some of the 

 larger animals, experience any thing like attachment to 

 individuals, is not easily ascertained ; but that they feel 

 the full force of the sentiment which we term patriotism, 

 or the love of the community to which they belong, is 

 evident from the whole series of their proceedings, which 

 all tend to promote the general good. Distress or diffi- 

 culty falling upon any member of their society, generally 

 excites their sympathy, and they do their utmost to re- 

 lieve it. M. Latreille once cut off the antennae of an 

 ant; and its companions, evidently pitying its sufferings, 

 anointed the wounded part with a drop of transparent 

 fluid from their mouth : and whoever attends to what is 

 going forward in the neighbourhood of one of their nests, 

 will be pleased to observe the readiness with which they 



VOL. II. F 



