GENERAL ADAPTIVENESS. 363 



event of failure, of return as conquered instead of con- 

 querors, the reception is characterised by sulkiness and 

 indifference (Figuier). 



In ants' wars there is a cessation of the fight at night 

 and a renewal of it at dawn (' Percy Anecdotes '). In their 

 marches the active, if necessary, drag the sluggish (Davies). 

 In their fights volunteers frequently make sacrifices for the 

 sake of the rest -pro bono publico (Houzeau). Ants make, 

 moreover, special provision for extreme danger (Figuier). 



As in man, courage has sometimes to be stimulated or 

 inspired in or for battle. This is occasionally done by the 

 female to the male by the physical operation of the vis a 

 tergo pushing from behind (Wallace). In other circum- 

 stances their industry, perseverance, patience, endurance, 

 energy, affections, require encouragement, enticing, induc- 

 ing, cajolery, or other arts of the one sex towards the other, 

 of the old to the young, or of companions to each other. 



Ants construct defensive works ; their ' hills' or nests have, 

 sometimes at least, masked doors and galleries (Figuier). 

 Even in peace times, moreover, as a measure, of precaution 

 against intrusion or surprise, ants close their gates or doors at 

 night, and open them in the morning unless in the case of 

 rain (Darwin, Nichols, Figuier). Fortifications or barricades, 

 however, are not confined to ants nor to war times. Barri- 

 cading of the entrance to the comb is a well-known defensive 

 expedient of bees against the intrusion of the death's-head 

 moth (Kirby and Spence). Watson cites cases of magpies 

 doing the same against other birds. Certain birds fortify or 

 protect their nests with prickly shrubs. 



Strategy is not confined to ants nor to war. On the 

 contrary, it is commonly exemplified in a great variety of 

 animals, and in reference to the capture of prey or booty. 

 Indeed, we need go no further for ample and striking illus- 

 trations than to our domestic cats and dogs in their pilf erings 

 from our larders or dinner tables. In them and other ani- 

 mals strategy sometimes involves diplomacy, and diplomacy, 

 hypocrisy all of a kind that would do credit, or discredit as 

 it may be viewed, to human courtiers and statesmen and 

 all, moreover, as pointed out in the chapter on ' Deception.' 



