vi PREFACE. 
Although the observations of Huber, Forel, McCook, 
and others are no doubt perfectly trustworthy, there are 
antmber of scattered stories about ants which are quite 
unworthy of credence; and there is also a large class 
in which, although the facts may be correctly recorded, 
the inferences drawn from them are very questionable. 
I have endeavoured, therefore, by actual experiments 
which any one may, and I hope others will, repeat 
and verify, to throw some light on these interesting 
questions. 
The principal point in which my mode of experi- 
menting has differed from that of previous observers 
bas been that I have carefully marked and watched 
particular insects ; and secondly, that I have had nests 
under observation for long periods. No one before had 
ever kept an ants’ nest for more than a few months. 
I have one -now in my room which has been under 
constant observation ever since 1874, i.¢. for more than 
seven years.! 
1 I may add that these ants are still (March 1882) alive and 
well. The queens at least are now eight years‘old, if not more. 
