86 LETTERS ON ENTOMOLOGY. 
to pay her homage much the same as the bees 
render to their queen. 
All press round her, offer her food, and conduct 
her through the formicary, sometimes even carry- 
ing her on their jaws. When she is set down, 
others surround and caress her, one after another, 
tapping her on the head with their antenna?. 
" In whatever apartment," says Gould, " a queen 
condescends to be present, she commands obedi- 
ence and respect. An universal gladness spreads 
itself through the whole cell, which is expressed 
by particular acts of joy and exultation. They 
have a particular way of skipping, leaping, and 
standing upon their hind legs, and prancing with 
the others. These frolics they make use of both 
to congratulate each other when they meet, and 
to show their regard for their queen ; some of 
them gently walk over her, others dance round 
her ; she i6 generally encircled with a cluster of 
attendants, who if you separate them from her, 
soon collect themselves in a body, and inclose 
her in the midst." I fear, my dear Harriet, that 
all which I shall relate to you concerning these 
insects will appear almost incredible, but there 
is no doubt of the veracity of the authorities 
from which the account is derived ; and if you 
ask how any body could see into an ant-hill, I 
