146 



SISTER ANTS RECOGNISED 



their nest as pupae, attended by friends and restored to 

 their own nest, were amicably received. 



What is still more remarkable, of twenty-two ants 

 belonging to F. fusca, removed as pupae, attended by 

 strangers, and returned to their own nest, twenty were 

 amicably received. As regards one I am doubtful ; the 

 last was crippled in coming out of the pupa-case ; and 

 to this perhaps her unfriendly reception may have been 

 due. 



Of the same number of Lasius niger developed 

 in the same manner from pupae tended by strangers 

 belonging to the same species, and then returned into 

 their own nest, nineteen were amicably received, three 

 were attacked, and about two I feel doubtful. 



On the other hand, fifteen specimens belonging to 

 the same two species, removed as pupae, tended by 

 strangers belonging to the same species, and then put 

 into the strangers' nest, were all attacked. 



The results may be tabulated as follows : 



The differences cannot be referred to any difference 

 of temperament in different nests. The specimens of 

 F. fusca, experimented with in August and September 

 last were taken principally from two nests, numbered 

 respectively 36 and 60. Now, while nest 36, in most 

 1 I do not feel sure about three of these. 



