SIE JOHN LTIBBOCK ON THE HABITS 0¥ AKTS. 221 



Individual Influence or Character. 



Another point of considerable interest is the difference in indi- 

 vidual character or influence which seems to be indicated by some 

 of the experiments. 



For instance, on the 21st of June, at 6 minutes past noon, a 

 worker of F. nigra was put to some larvae ; she carried off one as 

 usual and returned as follows, viz. at 



During this time only two other ants came to the larvae. We 

 then imprisoned the ant and put another to the same larvae at 

 2.56. This ant already knew her way well, and she returned as 

 follows, viz. : — 



During this time no other ant came. "We then imprisoned 

 her again, and put a third ant to the same larvae. She returned at 



4.20 4.30 4.46 5. 6 



4.23 4.36 4.56 5.10 



4.26 4.40 6. 



4.28 4.42 5. 2 



when we left off watching her. Between 4.20 and 4.40 this ant 

 brought 10 friends with her ; but it is curious that from 4.40 to 

 the end of the observation no more came. I have often observed 

 that when an ant first begins to work, she brings many more 

 friends than afterwards. 



Intelligence and Affection. 



As evidence both of their intelligence and of their affection for 

 their friends, it has been said by various observers that when 

 ants have been accidentally buried they have been very soon dug 

 out and rescued by their companions. "Without for one moment 

 doubting the facts as stated, we must remember the habit which 



