324 PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



place both of voice and words. When the military ants before alluded to 

 go upon their expeditions, and are out of the formicary, previously to 

 setting off they touch each other on the trunk with their antennas 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 im- 

 perative organs. The helpless larvae 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 difficulty falling 

 upon any member of their society generally excites their sympathy, and 

 they do their utmost to relieve 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 seem 

 disposed to assist each other in difficulties. When a burthen is too heavy 

 for one, another will soon come to ease it of part of the weight ; and if 

 one is threatened with an attack, all hasten to the spot, to join in repel- 

 ling it. 



The satisfaction they express at meeting after absence is very striking, 

 and gives some degree of individuality to their attachment. M. Huber 

 witnessed the gesticulations of some ants, originally belonging to the same 

 nest, that, having been entirely separated from each other four, months, 

 were afterwards brought together. Though this was equal to one fourth 

 of their existence as perfect insects, they immediately recognised each 

 other, saluted mutually with their antennae, and united once more to form 

 one family. 



They are also ever intent to promote each other's welfare, and ready to 

 share with their absent companions any good thing they may meet with. 

 Those that go abroad feed those which remain in the nest ; and if they 

 discover any stock of favourite food, they inform the whole community, 

 as we have seen above, and teach them the way to it. M. Huber, for a 

 particular reason, having produced heat, by means of a flambeau, in a cer- 

 tain part of an artificial formicary, the ants that happened to be in that 

 quarter, after enjoying it for a time, hastened to convey the welcome in- 

 telligence to their compatriots, whom they even carried suspended upon 

 their jaws (their usual mode of transporting each other) to the spot, 

 till hundreds might be seen thus laden with their friends. 



If ants feel the force of love, they are equally susceptible of the emo- 

 tions of anger ; and when they are menaced or attacked, no insects show 

 a greater degree of it. Providence, moreover, has furnished them with 



