146 ANTS AND ANT LIFE 



and follow it by smell. On the other hand such mistakes 

 scarcely ever happen to individuals in an unladen train, kept 

 in good array. 



Other species of ants (F. fusca, rufa, sangninea)kno\v better 

 how to manage under such circumstances, than do the 

 Amazons. The laden ones lay down their loads, first find 

 out where they are, and only take them up again after they 

 have found their way. 



If the booty seized in the nest first attacked is too large 

 to be all taken away at once, the robbers return once or 

 oftener so as to complete their work. The poor ravished 

 folk try to stop up the entrances of their nest with earth as 

 much as possible during the intervals, but the robbers open, 

 them again and go on with their plundering. When 

 all is over, the attacked ants, whose resistance has only been 

 feeble, bring back to the nest the larvae and pupa? they have 



In carrying away the larvae and pupae the Amazons have 

 to be very careful not to wound them with their pointed 

 mandibles, whereas the other species easily accomplish this- 

 task with the help of their toothed jaws. Yet they some- 

 times forget this care in the heat and the excitement of the 

 struggle, and kill their living burdens. They cannot, for 

 the same reason, carry along very large pupae, although 

 their smaller and weaker slaves are able to perform this 

 duty. Forel has admirably described (foe. cit. p. 225) their 

 useless and droll attempts under such circumstances. 



The ants, as already said, do not have regular leaders nor 

 chiefs. Yet it is certain that in each expedition, alteration 

 of road or other change, the decision during that event 

 comes from a small knot of individuals, which have previously 

 come to an understanding and carry the rest and the unde- 

 cided along them. These do not always follow immediately, 

 but only after they have received several taps on the head 

 from the members of the " ring." The procession does not 

 advance until the leaders have convinced themselves by 

 their own eyesight that the main part of the army is fol- 

 lowing. How desirable an example for men, amongst whom 

 it is generally said : Tot capita tot sensus (so many heads so 

 many opinions), and amongst whom these divisions of 

 opinions and interests so often mutilate or hinder the most 

 important and useful undertakings. 



