88 LETTERS ON ENTOMOLOGY. 
LETTER IX. 
MY DEAR HARRIET, 
Let us now consider a little the 
language of our formic friends., though I am sorry 
to say I cannot teach it to you grammatically. 
That they have a language is very evident, though 
they have no voice, in common with all other in- 
sects. The following facts prove their powers of 
communication, though the most superficial ob- 
server might judge for himself. If those on the 
surface are alarmed, it is astonishing how soon 
the alarm spreads through the whole nest. It 
creates the greatest bustle, and they carry, with 
all possible despatch, their treasures, the larvae, 
and pupae or eggs, as they are commonly called, 
down to the lowest apartments. 
A species which is found on the continent in- 
habits hollow trees. M. Huber observed that 
when he disturbed those farthest from the rest, 
they ran towards them, and striking their head 
againstthem, communicated the cause of their fear 
or anger ; that these conveyed the intelligence to 
