PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



77 



nessed myself, that they sometimes transport their young 

 brood to a considerable distance from their home. But 

 M. Huber, by his interesting observations, has placed this 

 fact beyond all controversy ; and his history of their emigra- 

 tions is enlivened by some traits so singular, that I am 

 impatient to relate them to you. They concern chiefly the 

 great hill-ant (F. rufa), though several other species occasion- 

 ally emigrate. 



Some of the neuters having found a spot which they judge 

 convenient for a new habitation, apparently without consult- 

 ing the rest of the society, determine upon an emigration, 

 and thus they compass their intention : — The first step is to 

 raise recruits: with this view they eagerly accost several 

 fellow citizens of their own order, caress them with their 

 antennae, lead them by their mandibles, and evidently appear 

 to propose the journey to them. If they seem disposed to 

 accompany them, the recruiting officer, for so he may be 

 called, prepares to carry off his recruit, who, suspending him- 

 self upon his mandibles, hangs coiled up spirally under his 

 neck ; — all this passes in an amicable manner after mutual 

 salutations. Sometimes, however, the recruiter takes the 

 other by surprise, and drags him from the ant-hill without 

 giving him time to consider or resist. When arrived at the 

 proposed habitation, the suspended ant uncoils itself, and, 

 quitting its conductor, becomes a recruiter in its turn. The 

 pair return to the old nest, and each carries off a fresh recruit, 

 which being arrived at the spot joins in the undertaking : — 

 thus the number of recruiters keeps progressively increasing, 

 till the path between the new and the old city is full of goers 

 and coiners, each of the former laden with a recruit. What 

 a singular and amusing scene is then exhibited of the little 

 people thus employed ! When an emigration of a rufescent 

 colony is going forward, the negroes are seen carrying their 

 masters ; and the contrast of the red with the black renders 

 it peculiarly striking. The little turf-ants (Myrmica ? cces- 

 pitum) upon these occasions carry their recruits uncoiled, 

 with their head downwards and their body in the air. 



This extraordinary scene continues several days ; but when 

 all the neuters are acquainted with the road to the new city, 



