PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 109 
instinct of bringing up larve and the power of founding communities. In 
this field close observation is yet wanted. As to the Ants intimating to 
each other their discovery of food, this does not necessarily imply any 
power of describing localities; for it seems that rather by a simpler sign 
do co-workers accompany each other to the discovered treasure. Sir John’s 
experiments again rather negative the idea of these creatures using sounds 
to acquaint their fellows of any repast they may come across, no summons 
that he could make out being given to the brotherhood, though but a short 
distance separated them in the experiments thereon. The affection of Ants 
for their friends is out-balanced by their hatred of strangers. In instances 
specified, a few of each were kept prisoners in separate bottles, and 
prevented escaping or partaking of food by the mouths of the bottles being 
secured with wide-meshed muslin. Those Ants outside, running freely 
about, again and again excitedly endeavoured to attack the strangers ; but 
they paid no heed to their friends, neither feeding them nor aiding them to 
get out, though all the while fiercely biting the muslin guarding the 
strangers. Further experiments prove that it is by scent far more than by 
sight the Ants are guided in following up tracks of food, &c., which has 
been shifted in position after their once having partaken of it, returned to 
their nest, and again sallied forth in search of the repast. Ants avoid light 
when this is thrown into their nests, and they then congregate into the 
darkest corners. Taking advantage of this habit, and by a series of 
ingeniously-contrived experiments,—wherein strips of coloured glass, in 
other instances shallow cells, containing coloured solutions, such as fuchsine, 
bichromate of potash, chloride of copper, &c., were used,—Sir John arrives 
at the conclusion that Ants, like Bees, are influenced by the sensation of 
colour; though in the case of the Ants its effects, probably, are different 
from those produced on the retina of man. In the Ants experimented on, 
a predominate preference was given by them to red; green followed ; 
yellow came next; while to blue they appear to have a decided aversion. 
On the subject of the influence of colour much yet requires to be examined, 
viz., the effects of chemical rays, spectroscopic experiments, &c. The 
longevity of Ants, again, from what these series of observations elucidate, 
would appear to be greater than the generality of authorities admit ; for 
some specimens of Formica fusca. in Sir J. Lubbock’s possession are now 
at least five years old, and still lively. 
Mr. Thiselton Dyer made a brief communication on the so-called “ Rain 
Tree,” of Mogobamba, South America, which promised to excite as much 
interest amongst residents in hot, dry countries as the supposed anti- 
malarious properties of the “ Fever Tree” (Eucalyptus globulus ) had done 
amongst inhabitants of hot, wet ones. From information from Mr. Spruce 
it seemed probable that the ‘‘ Rain Tree” was Pithecolobium Saman, and 
the so-called “ rain ” the fluid excreta of Cicadas which fed on the juices of 
