94 BEHAVIOUR OF ANTS TO ONE ANOTHER. 
collections of independent individuals, nor even tem- 
porary associations like the flocks of migratory birds ; 
but organised communities labouring with the utmost 
harmony for the common good. The remarkable 
analogies which, in so many ways, they present to our 
human societies, render them peculiarly interesting to 
us, and one cannot but long to know more of their 
character, how the world appears to them, and to what 
extent they are conscious and reasonable beings. 
For my own part I cannot make use of Mr. Grote’s 
argument, because I have elsewhere attempted to show 
that, even as regards man, the case is not by any means 
clear. But however this may be, various observers 
have recorded in the case of ants instances of attach- 
ment and affection. 
Forel lays it down as a general rule that if ants are 
slightly injured, or rather unwell, their companions take 
care of them: on the other hand, if they are badly 
wounded or seriously ill, they are carried away from 
the nest, and left to perish. 
Latreille, also, makes the following statement :— 
‘Le sens de lJodorat,’ he says,! ‘se manifestant 
dune maniére aussi sensible, je voulois profiter 
de cette remarque pour en découvrir le siége. On a 
soupgonné depuis longtemps qu'il résidoit dans les 
antennes. Je les arrachai 4 plusieurs fourmis fauves 
ouvriéres, auprés du nid desquelles je me trouvois. Je 
vis aussitét ces petits animaux que j’avois ainsi mutilés 
) Hist. Nat. des Fowrmis, p. 41. 
