SIR J. LUBBOCK ON ANTS, BEES, AND WASPS. 



383 



returning to the nest they persistently came down the side of the 

 pillar nearest to the nest, though we repeatedly attempted to 

 guide them the other way. Even when placed on the paper bridge 

 between M and M', they were very dissatisfied. In fact it was 

 obvious that they knew they were being sent a loug way round, 

 and were attempting to make a shorter cut. 



I then again placed the larvae at M, and when the ants were 

 once more going to and fro regularly along the paper path, I 

 altered the position to M', placing the edge of the pillar, which 

 the ants had been accustomed to ascend, towards the paper bridge? 

 connecting it with the original bridge 

 by a side-bridge «, M being an inch from 

 the original bridge. Under these cir- 

 cumstances three ants ran on to M ; 

 then two found their way over the bridge 

 a to M'. Of the next ten ants, five went 

 to M and five over a to M'. The next ten 

 all went over the paper bridge a to M'. 



I then put the pillar and the larva? on 

 the other side of the original paper path 

 at M" connected with the main path by a short bridge a', and took 

 for a' a new piece of paper, so that scent would be no guide. I 

 left the little bridge a in its place. The ants went as follows : — 



To 



M". 



M'. 



M. 



1 











1 







1 



1 







1 



1 







1 



1 



1 



1 











1 



1 











1 











1 











1 











1 



1 







1 



1 







1 











12 3 5 



It seems clear, therefore, that though the ants did not trust so 



30* 



