THE PERFECT SOCIALISM 91 



ing a convenient bundle. When a colony decides to 

 move its city, some of the ants select the new site, 

 and commence carrying there not only the young and 

 treasure but also their sister ants who are not alive to 

 the necessity of removal. Sometimes the one seized 

 upon in this svimmary fashion objects ; but this in no- 

 wise daunts the energetic mover, who hales her sister to 

 the new home whether she will or no. 



The older writers tell us of play spells among ants. 

 During these times the inhabitants of an ant-hill in- 

 dulge in wrestling games and gymnastics. 



There are certain small insects which ants allow to 

 dwell within their nests. So far as we can see, these 

 guests are of no advantage to the ants, and it has been 

 suggested that they are kept as pets. This is the only 

 plausible theory to account for their presence in pre- 

 cincts where no intruders are tolerated. 



Considering all the things we have discussed, and 

 many other observed facts, for which there is no room in 

 this brief sketch, it must be conceded that these insects 

 are perfect socialists. We find that the individual is 

 kind and self-sacrificing for its own commonwealth; 

 and selfishness and cruelty and all the baser passions 

 are aroused only in rivalry between communities. We 

 find that the love of their kind is developed at the 

 expense of all individual loves and hatreds. It is 



