252 NORTH AMERICAN INSECTS. 



and then let them go back to the hill, when some of thei? 

 brethren commenced moistening the wounded parts with 

 their saliva, which probably is their remedy. So, too, ants 

 which had been separated from the hill under glass for four 

 months were brought back, and were immediately recog- 

 nized by their brethren, who commenced a mutual caress- 

 ing with their antennae and jaws, while general satisfaction 

 and joy was distinctly seen throughout the whole commu- 

 nity. 



Again, the ants, which inhabit hills favorably situated 

 for finding plenty of food and drink, are seen to play and 

 frolic with one another like little dogs or kittens. On fine, 

 sunny days they may be seen in crowds running about on 

 the outside of their nests, the antennae of each moving with 

 great rapidity, while some with their fore feet caress the 

 heads of others, and some rise up in pairs on their hind feet, 

 take hold of one another with their jaws, throw each other 

 upon the ground, and, in short, wrestle like turners without 

 injuring one another. 



With regard to their nourishment, also, or at least their 

 need of it, the antennae seem to be the principal organs of 

 their language. Having no store-house like the bees, those 

 tints which remain at home are obliged to wait until the 

 others bring home food for them, which generally consists 

 of small insects, of which each of the resident ants take a 

 morsel. But if those who go in search of food find only 

 fruit, or large bodies, such as worms, caterpillars, dead 

 mice, or lizards, which they can not carry home, they suck 

 put all their liquid substance, preserve it in their own 

 stomachs, and, when they get back to the hill, discharge it 

 by drops into the mouths of their comrades. When one is 

 Jmngry, therefore, it touches with the antennae that one by 

 whom it desires to be fed, and the latter, after such an ad- 

 monition, opens its mouth and feeds the former with the 

 fluid substance it has preserved in its stomach, while the 



