824 PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. . 
place both of yoice and words. When the military ants before alluded to 
go upon their expeditions, and are out of the formicary, previously to 
setting off they touch each other on the trunk with their antenne and 
forehead :—this is the signal for marching; for, as soon as any one has 
received it, he is immediately in motion. When they have any discovery 
to communicate, they strike with them those that they meet in a particularly 
impressive manner, If a hungry ant wants to be fed, it touches with its 
two antennz, moving them very rapidly, those of the individual from which 
it expects its meal; and not only ants understand this language, but even 
Aphides and Cocci, which are the milch kine of our little pismires, do the 
same, and will yield them their saccharine fluid at the touch of these im. 
perative organs. The helpless larve also of the ants are informed by the 
same means when they may open their mouths to receive their food, 
Next to their language, and scarcely different from it, are the modes by 
which they express their affections and aversions. Whether ants, with 
man and some of the larger animals, experience any thing like attachment 
to individuals, is not easily ascertained; but that they feel the full force of 
the sentiment which we term patriotism, or the love of the community to 
which they belong, is evident from the whole series of their proceedings, 
which all tend to promote the general good. Distress or difficulty falling 
upon any member of tlicir society generally excites their sympathy, and 
they do their utmost to relieve it. M. Latreille once cut off the antenne 
of an ant; and its companions, evidently pitying its sufferings, anointed 
the wounded part with a drop of transparent fluid from their mouth ; and 
whoever attends to what is going forward in the neighbourhood of one of 
their nests, will be pleased to observe the readiness with which they seem 
disposed to assist each other in difficulties. When a burthen is too heavy 
for one, another will soon come to ease it of part of the weight ; and if 
one is threatened with an attack, all hasten to the spot, to join in repel- 
ling it. 
The satisfaction they express at meeting after absence is very striking, 
and gives some degree of individuality to their attachment. M. Huber 
witnessed the gesticulations of some ants, originally belonging to the same 
nest, that, having been entirely separated from each other four months, 
were afterwards brought together. Though this was equal to one fourth 
of their existence as perfect insects, they immediately recognised each 
other, saluted mutually with their antenne, and united once more to form 
one family, 
They are also ever intent to promote each other’s welfare, and ready to 
share with their absent companions any good thing they may meet with. 
Those that go abroad feed those which remain in the nest ; and if they 
discover any stock of fayourite food, they inform the whole community, 
as we have seen above, and teach them the way to it. M. Huber, fora 
particular reason, having produced heat, by means of a flambeau, in a cet 
tain part of an artificial formicary, the ants that happened to be in that 
quarter, after enjoying it for a time, hastened to convey the welcome in- 
telligence to their compatriots, whom they even carried suspended upon 
their jaws (their usual mode of transporting each other) to the spot, 
till hundreds might be seen thus laden with their friends. 
Tt ants feel the force of love, they are equally susceptible of the emo- 
tions of anger ; and when they are menaced or attacked, no insects show 
a greater degree of it. Providence, moreover, has furnished them with 
