PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 359 



jaws the trunk or abdomen of the ant to which they mean to give informa- 

 tion of any subject of alarm. But those remarkable organs, their antennce, 

 are the principal instruments of their speech, if I may so call it, supply- 

 ing the place both of voice and words. When the military ants before 

 alluded to go upon their expeditions, and are out of the formicary, previ- 

 ously to setting off they touch each other on the trunk with their antenna) 

 and forehead : — this is the signal for marching ; for, as soon as any one 

 has received it, he is immediately in motion. When they have any dis- 

 covery to communicate, they strike with them those that they meet in 

 a particularly impressive manner. If a hungry ant wants to be fed, it 

 touches with its two antennae, moving them very rapidly, those of the 

 individual from which it expects its meal ; and not only ants understand 

 this language, but even Aphides and Cocci, which are the milch kine of our 

 little pismires, do the same, and will yield them their saccharine fluid at 

 the touch of these imperative organs. The helpless larvse also of the 

 ants are informed by the same means when they may open their mouths 

 to receive their food. 



Next to their language, and scarcely different from it, are the modes 

 by which they express their affections and aversions. Whether ants, with 

 man and some of the larger animals, experience any thing like attach- 

 ment to individuals, is not easily ascertained ; but that they feel the full 

 force of the sentiment which we term patriotism, or the love of the com- 

 munity to which they belong, is evident from the whole series of their 

 proceedings, which all tend to promote the general good. Distress or 

 difficulty falling upon any member of their society generally excites their 

 sympathy, and they do their utmost to relieve it. M. Latreille once cut 

 off the antennae of an ant ; and its companions, evidently pitying its suffer- 

 ings, anointed the wounded part with a drop of transparent fluid from 

 their mouth ; and whoever attends to what is going forward in the neigh- 

 borhood of one of their nests, will be pleased to observe the readiness 

 with which they seem disposed to assist each other in difficulties. When 

 a burthen is too heavy for one, another will soon come to ease it of part 

 of the weight ; and if one is threatened with an attack, all hasten to the 

 spot, to join in repelling it. 



The satisfaction they express at meeting after absence is very striking, 

 and gives some degree of individuality to their attachment. M. Huber 

 witnessed the gesticulations of some ants, originally belonging to the same 

 nest, that, having been entirely separated from each other four months, 

 were afterwards brought together. Though this was equal to one fourth 

 of their existence as perfect insects, they immediately recognized each 

 other, saluted mutually with their antennae, and united once more to form 

 one family. 



They are also ever intent to promote each other's welfare, and ready 

 to share with their absent companions any good thing they may meet 

 with. Those that go abroad feed those which remain in the nest ; and if 

 they discover any stock of favorite food, they inform the whole commu- 

 nity, as we have seen above, and teach them the way to it. M. Huber, 

 for a particular reason, having produced heat, by means of a flambeau, 

 in a certain part of an artificial formicary, the ants that happened to be 

 in that quarter, after enjoying it for a time, hastened to convey the welcome 



