THE INTELLIGENCE OF "THE LOWER ANIMALS". 81 



for further care and development, or for consumption. 

 They themselves again squat on their four hindlegs, 

 to renew their comical cleaning operations, which 

 they interrupt only to extort food from some pass- 

 ing slave. The young ants, which are fortunate 

 enough to come safely out of their cocoons, are 

 in reality not treated by the colony as slaves (which 

 in this case is a wrong appellation) , but as full-fledged 

 citizens. However, it is their lot, at least in the nests 

 of the Polyergus, which are unfit for any work, to take 

 upon themselves the construction of the nest, the rear- 

 ing of the brood, and the victualizing of the whole 

 community. And this task they undertake with mas- 

 terly skill and rare devotion. Entirely forgetful, as it 

 were, of their home and kindred, they are absorbed 

 in caring for strangers. They are unconcerned even 

 about the propagation of their own species, they sac- 

 rifice that for which animals strive to the utmost mere- 

 ly in order to preserve the race of their oppressors, 

 which would otherwise be doomed to certain destruc- 

 tion. 



This is the exterior appearance of one of the most 

 splendid expeditions ever observed by Huber, Forel or 

 Wasmann, and certainly the fact narrated seems to 

 betray a high degree of intelligence. For, first of all , 

 by their warlike expeditions the Amazons seem to 

 intend to supply their household with new auxiliaries. 

 Moreover, the means applied for the purpose are most 

 appropriate. "Scouts" have explored the hostile nest 

 and seem to lead the whole army. At the right mo- 

 ment the signal for the attack is given. The attack 

 itself takes place on a sudden, with great celerity and 

 by all at once. Thus the enemy will be surprised and 



