Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-03-21
Intelligent insects.
BY FRANZ D. TRACER.

A distinguished physician and de
voted naturalist was once watching 10y
tie bedside of sick friend, when he
observed Daddy long-legs " on the
table on which the medicines were
placed. Being curious to observe what
he would do, he let him remain. The
little fellow climbed on the top of a
cup, half-full of tea, which happened to
be on the table, but the liquid was too
low down for him to reach, though he
spread himself by his long legs COM
pletely over the cup. At last, however,
an idea seemed to strike him, and he
Oct one of his long legs dip down into
the tea, took it up, and sucked it !
This was repeated several times. At
last, the gentleman having heard that
these ittl things possess a wonderful
power of mending broken limbs, care
fully took him up and broke otf.one of
his legs, being careful to let it hang by
piece of membrance, The insect
cravled off a few inches, drew his brok-
zen limb two or three times through his
mouth, and went off as aceU as eUer !
The same gentleman describes the
punishment which he, saw inflicted on a
thieving Tespa ceranais, "Dirt- daub-
er," rs he is commonly called, who was
enriching himself at the expense of his
more industrious neighbors, several of
whom had nest in common. These
were bringing spiders, etc, to put in
the nest for the food of their young.
The thief would wait until all except
himself had gone after more prey, then,
going to the cells containing the food
which the Others had stored away, he
appropriated it to his own use. This
was continued for some time before
being discovered. When the diligent
ones found out that their nest was be-
ing robbed, their rage knew no bounds,
But the thief was not yet discovered
This required some skill and cunning.
Accordingly they all went off as if for
prey, but only went short distance,
and presently one of them came back
and carefully hid himself in a hole.
When the thief came again, he seemed
to suspect that all was not right, for he
looked carefully around to see if any
one was watching him. Not seeing
any one, he went into a cell after his
accustomed spoil. No sooner was he
fairly in than the one who had been set
to watch mo doubt selected for super
ior strength pounced upon him. Tie
Others soon came up, and together they
gave the thief q sound drubbing
A gentleman was once watching big
black ant which was conveying piece
Of cheese, considerable larger than
l,~,cn1f 10 l,,e .hn,, 10
him come to a hole in the yard filed
with rubbish. II he had descended into
this, the chances are that he would
have lost the cheese or not been able to
get cut again, so he seemed to think.
He dropped his burden and looked
around. Prospect unsatisfactory, very
So he climbs to the top of stalk of
grass and takes view of the premises.
Not satisfied yet. Selecting a taller
stalk, he climbs that, and looks around
once more. This last view seemed to
satisfy him, for he hurried down, took
up his load, and made his way safely
around the hole, and so on to his home.
once noticed what ! supposed was
very large red ant crawling on the
ground On looking closer, however,
it proved to be one ant carrying anoth-
er. The one who was being carried
had had his hind body crushed by
some accident, and probably was I'M
able to walk so he had mounted on
the back of the we'll one, locked his
forelegs around the t0oist of the other,
and so was having comfortable ride.
When the well one stopped to rest or
look out his way, the sick one seemed
to chastIse, advise, or admonish him
with his antenn@, and | noticed, after
these applications, he always went di-
rectly on. Could one boy carrying an
other have done more l-IedrH and
Home.
Lazy Dick.