114 Chapter III. 



in fact, we cannot even do so, if we wish at all to 

 proceed scientifically. Popular psychology may, 

 indeed, perceive a "spiritual power of reflection" in 

 those activities of animals, in which sense experiences 

 enter as additional factors. And of course, this 

 uncritical procedure forces them, in consequence, to 

 ascribe to ants at least the same degree of "individual 

 intelligence" as to the highest mammals; for, with 

 the latter great plasticity of instinct is rarer than with 

 ants. These conclusions, which are declared absurd 

 by modern evolutionists themselves, clearly prove the 

 untenability and self-contradiction of modern animal 

 psychology. 



4. How do Ants Build Their Nestsf 



In spite of its irregularity every ant nest is always 

 a unit, consisting of one or more chambers, galleries 

 and entrances, by which ants communicate with the 

 outside world. And now we are confronted with the 

 question: How do the members of a colony co-oper- 

 ate in building their nest? 



Almost a hundred years ago Peter Huber 1 atten- 

 tively observed the ants building their nests, and 

 described in a masterly manner the skill and assiduity 

 of these small animals. Any one can satisfy himself 

 of the correctness of these observations by watching 

 wood ants (F. rufa) building their hills on some 

 sunny day in spring, or by looking at the small, black 

 garden ants (Lasius niger) constructing their earth- 

 nests during some warm spring shower. 



*) "Recherches sur les moeurs des fourmis indigenes" (1810). 

 Nouvelle edition, 1861. Chap. I. 



