, 1877-12-02
INTELLECTUAL INSECTS.

Tho highest development Of instinct and
organism among invertebrate animals is e1-
hibited by the Aynenoptcra;; and in this
ants have the highest rank. A recent num-
ber of the Quarterly Journal Of Science con-
tains al article, evidently prompted by an
affectionnte study of the subject, in which
the habits of these marvellous animals are
described. There is no doubt much thnt is
insuficiently established in the various sto-
ries of ant-intelligence; but the facts, which
are admitted by all observers and rest upon
complete inductions, are enough.to give the
subject dignity and Importance. III the
most ancient book of which we have nny
knowledge and the most profound collection
Of proverbs the world has ever known, the
visest man in the race laid down for
the guidance Of his fellows the memo
rable maxim: $50 to the ant, thou
sluggard; consider her ways and be wise
which, having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
provideth her meat in the summer and gath
ereth her food in the harvest" Again, the
same oracle declared: s'There be four things
which are little upon the earth, but they are
exceedingly wise" Among the four were
the ants, 50 which are people not strong,
yet they prepare their meat in the summer" :"
Fond as the majority of good people are of
quoting this advice end dingingit in the faco
of idlers, they are seldom inclined to adopt
it in practice. They do not 80 to the ant
and study her ways, but suggest vague and
glittering moralities rs sufficient for the Or
dinary purposes of life. The writer, there
fore, who assists the unlearned to get at the
secrets Of ant-economy confers no slight
benefit upon the public, while ut the same
time he fulhlls pious duty.
The ant is remarkable for brain much
more highly developed than that of tho
neighboring inferior groups; for specialized
functions in regard to sex, in accordance
with which the neutrals are strong aud vig-
orous, and able to perform tho work of each
community; for means of communication
among themselves, almost approaching in
accuracy and celebrity Of operation genuine
language; and for very high order OF in
telligence. CICERO considered them possessed
of mind, reason, and memory; and observers
like Sir JoHs LUBBOCK, who may lay claim to
a apersonal acquaintance with ants, confirm
this view, Their quickness Of perception
has been approved not only by their evident
forethought in providing for futura necossi-
ties during seasons Of abundance, but by
organized effort in tho regulation Of their
miniature communities. In this connection,
marvellous story, almost incredible in some
Of its details, is told BY DR.. L1scEcuM, who
has made special study of the agricultural
ant of Western Texas. He says that this
species is, with the exception of man, tho
only one which does not depend for its sus-
tenance upon the products of the chase or
the spontaneous fruits of the soil:
As soon IS colony Of these ants has become
sufficiently numerous they clear tract OF ground.
some four or i've feet In width around their CITY.
In this plot all existing plants eradicuted, all
stones and rubbish removed, and peculiar species
OF grass is sown, the seeds Of which resemble very
minute grains OF nee. The field, for so wo must
call its carefully tended By the ants. kept frea