Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-01-24
Railg 2l'irainiau.
Anecdotes Of Ants.

When an ant discovers store of food, il at
once sets about communicating tho good news tn
its tribe. But how? That it can communicate
IDEAS by means OF its nntcnnn. mysteriously rub
bed against ils nntcnun Of its companions. every
one knows, but rubbing noses is, after all Il
lmted form of publication, and cannot easily
convey many details. How then is the insect Co
lumbus to inform his friends of the geographical
position. ol thus Amcricn? lle knows tho route
himself and he can carry another aut to tho spot
Seising with his manlihlcs the companion TO
whom he hns ust announced his discovery, and
who tw.ines himself around his body. Columbus
carries his friend to the spot The two then re-
turn, and carry four. And thus in II gcometrical
progression, tho omi grafton swells, TILL Mt tho end
of tho twentieth Journey. II million OF ants will DO
ready to deyour the food. II il noticeable that
the, always employ this method Of transport
when the, have to do each other service. Thus,
Huber ono winter, being dcsirous of watching
their habits, bcthought him Of attracting them
Ia particular part "i the apparatus IN which hr
kent them. aud which made -! glass For
tins purpo,c he warmed that part with n
candle flame, knowing how fond they oi
warmth. few ants wcro on the spot at tho
time, md no sooner did they feel tho pleasant
warmth than they became worry animated, brush
in, their heads aud antcnnr with their fore
feet, and rapidly running about the warm spot
hrncycr they approached other ants they rub
bed noscs' with eager voluhllty, and immediate
/, separated They seemed desirous If mounting
to tho second story. but no sooner did they get
yund the region Of warmth than they returned
avnin Al last they seemed TO hnvc made up their
minds Away they started for tho second story.
Huber guessed they hal departed with the incn-
ton of communicating Ia their companions above
the pleasant news that warmth wns 10 bc had
cheap. In II few minutes his guess was verified
Two descended carry. .ug two others. These were
Deposited I'm the warm spot aud tho carriers again
asreudcl tn bring down others. Tho newly nrr
we'd having warmed themselves, also aaccnded.
uud brought down Others. This transport contn-
url until al Ia; the whole hive conprcgntcd
in this place. After the spot had become cool tho
ats ren,ountcd to the second story; but at any
tine Huber was able H. repeat this interesting
experiment. aud always with like success.
In the construction Of their galleries. wonderful
rs that H. most persons SEQ nothing but instinct
Huber observed, however. that II over IN eng-
nerring mistake WAS committed whom ono wall
was raised higher than another-onc of the nnts
would destroy the whole. and rebuild it ngnn cor
rcctly. l. is their conduct towards tho nphidcs,
however, that most amusngy illustrates their IN
tclliscuoe. Tho littlc green insects, mostly wing
less found on the leaves and in the calyx OF tho
rose, in great numbers throughout tho summer,
sccrelc ON tho surface OF their bodies n sugary
fluid of which the ants are rs fond NJ gourmands
are Of turtle. Not only do the ants find out where
t,c aphidcs most do consregate," and there ewhce-
die them out of their sugar by the most natering
uttenlinus Ia stupid animal would kill such food-
hearing strnnrcr aud thus kill the goose Tint laid
the golden eggs but. although these intentions
ARE successful. the ants thoughtful creatures do
not trust alone to the chances of finding nphdes
they ARE rear them. Tho ants take the eggs Of
these a,hides into their nests, rear them with
maternal solcitudc, and transport them in nll
their migrations. No, only do they rear them.
lu they ayo frequent battles with rivnl tribes on
their account, the possession of these eggs is tho
trophy Of conquest.
,iors vnn1ucur un couihat ion apiis est la prx"
shouts the old warrior to his brother III arms
Wackroods MdYa<ine.