350 INSECT RECOGNITION. 



formly, required and rendered are well authenticated, of the 

 pellet-rolling and burying beetles. 



On the borders of a path or roadway leading through High- 

 gate wood towards Hornsey, are scattered several of the conical 

 cities of the red or wood ants. These, in their comings and 

 goings, are accustomed continually to cross the thoroughfare, 

 whereon as continually many among them fall victims to the 

 feet of the passers-by. The intelligence of the survivors 

 extends not certainly to the length of making them take 

 warning by the fate of their comrades ; yet do they seem to 

 observe and sympathize therein. "We have repeatedly noticed 

 them stopping, first one, then another, on discovering of a dead 

 mutilated body, till a group of several is collected round it. 

 Sometimes, after an apparent consultation, the individuals 

 separate, leaving the remains where found ; at others, singly 

 or together they attempt and accomplish their removal. 



We are assured by Huber, of the same extraordinary crea- 

 tures, that they have shown indubitable signs of mutual re- 

 cognition, greeting each other according to their peculiar 

 fashion, after a separation of four months, a portion of their 

 little lives equivalent at least to twenty years out of our three- 

 score and ten. To believe this, is at once to allow them a 

 proportionate share of combined affection and memory.* 



That with relation to each other, the instincts or the affec- 



* See, for an instance of evident communication between insects, " A Love 

 among the Koses," vol. ii. 



