The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1877-11-28
MISCELLANY.
ARE ANTS crvrxxzED !.


The October number of the Quarterly Journ-
al Of Science contains an article on s'Our
Six-footed Rivals, the ants, which may well
cause us to believe that we are not tue only
rational and civilized beings on this globe.
Let us suppose that we were suddenly in
formed, on good authority, that there existed
a race of beings who lived in domed habita-
tions, aggregated together so as to form vast
and populous cities, that they exercised juris-
diction over the adjoining territory, laid out
regular roads, executed tunnels underneath
the beds of rivers, stationed guards at the ell
trance of their towns, carefully removed any
offensive matter, maintained a rural police,
organized extensive hunting expeditions, ut
times even waged war upon neighboring COM
munities, took prisoners aud reduced them to
a state Of slavery that they not merely stor-
ed up provisions with due care, but they
kept cattle and even cultivated the soil and
gathered in the harvest. We should unques-
tionably regard these creatures as human be-
ings who had made no small progress in civil
ization, and should ascribe their actions to
reason.
Among the hynsenoptcra the lead is sun-.
doubtedly taken by the ants, which, like man,
have brain much more highly developed
than that of the neighboring inferior groups
Perhaps the most elevated of the formicide
family is the agricultural ant of western Tex
as. This species is, save man, the only crea-
ture which does, not depend for its sustenance
on the products Of the chase or the spontan-
eous fruits of the earth. A colony of these
ants will clear tract of ground, some four
feet in width, around their city, aud remove
all plants, stone and rubbish A species of
minute grain, resembling rice, is sown there
in and the field is carefully tended, kept free
from weeds, and guarded against marauding
insects. When mature, the crop is reaped
and the seeds dried and carried into the nest
If this is done near large city tho latter re-
gard IL as an intrusion. and fierce warfare
results, which ends in the total destruction of
one Or the other side. The queens are treated
with great attention and installed in royal
apartments.
The ant government is communistie. Ina
formicary there is no trace Of private proper
ty the territory, the buildings, the stores,
the booty. exist equally for the benefit of all.
The family among them scarcely exists. Rare
ly is the union of tho male and female extend
ed beyond the actual intercourse, all proyis-
ion for the future young devolving upon the
latter alone, the former being speedily killed,
as he is no longer of any use. The females
are the larger, stronger, and more long lived.
The workers and fighters are sexless to them
belongs the real government of the ant-hll,
and they provide for its enlargement well-be-
ing. and defence.
Ants are sometimes very stupid in regard to
small thugs, but Il, many Instances they dis
play remarkable sagacity. Mr.. Belt, In bis
/" Naturalist In Nicaragua" tells Of acoIumn
Of ants who were crossing watercoursc by a
small branch not thicker than a goose-quill.
They, widened this natural bridge to three
times its width by'a number Of ants clinging
to it and to each other on each side, over
which the column passed four deep, thus Of
fecting great saving Of time, Again, the
cotton lsgionis, when attacking the bill of an
other species, digs mines and passes the pei
sufficient distance outside TO prevent is roll.
ing back into tho hole. Their errors aDd stu
pidity are not moro conspicuous. however,
than among the human beings.
These tiny creatures have language BY
which they can impart to each other informa-
ton Of very definite character, and not
merely general signals, such az these Of alarm.
It has been found that ants fetched by mes
senger seem. when they arrive at The spot, to
have some some knowledge Of the task which
Is awaiting them. Their principal organs Of
speech are doubtless the antenn@ with these
when seeking to communicate intelligence,
they touch each other In variety Of ways.--
There is possibility that they may have q
language Of odors, for the various scents CIV
en- off by them are easily perceptible. Under
the influence Of anger it becomes very intense.
In battles, how, save by scent. can they dis.
ingush friend from foe ? After lapse Of