Battle Between Ants. 1 5 5 



careful examination of its injuries. Above and below the 

 abdomen, between the second and third segments, two 

 deep wounds, which met each other in the interior, were 

 plainly to be seen. 



Several cases of the kind were afterwards noticed. These 

 were not accidental occurrences, made through efforts to 

 carry the young to places of shelter. Possibly, through 

 inexperience, accidents might happen once in a long time, 

 but to suppose that insects, accustomed to handling their 

 young as the neuters assuredly are, would be likely to make 

 such blunders, is too unreasonable to be entertained. Ad- 

 mitting for argument's sake that such things might occa- 

 sionally occur, would successive repetitions be expected? I 

 apprehend not. But on the supposition that a purpose was 

 thereby subserved, the object had in view warrants, it would 

 seem, the means employed for its accomplishment. 



What the purpose was it will now be my aim to show. 

 That many animals, tame as well as wild, are wont to destroy 

 disabled and wounded companions, is well established by 

 history. In many instances the destruction is justified to 

 preserve the herd or pack from the close pursuit of enemies. 

 " Instinct or reason," as Darwin says, " may suggest the 

 expelling an injured companion, lest beasts of prey, includ- 

 ing man, should be tempted to follow the troop." 



Audubon, in writing of the wild turkey, so abundant in 

 his day, observes substantially that the old males in their 

 marches often destroy the young by picking the head, but 

 do not venture to disturb the full-grown and vigorous. The 

 feeble and immature being an encumbrance, it is obvious that 

 the watchfulness and attention which they would require, 

 were sympathy and affection the emotions by which the 

 males are actuated, would necessarily retard progress, and 

 lead to the destruction of the entire flock. Instinct or reason 

 here operates for individual and family good. 



Granting that instinct or reason does sometimes act for 

 individual and family preservation in the manner described, 



