The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1883-09-20
CONSIDERING THE WAYS OF THE

I have always taken great delight in
watching the habits of insects. The
common ant, such as we see in the
fields, is favorite of mine; for he
knows more and really has more intel
hgence than any other insect am ac-
quainted with.
The instinct of the bee is, indeed,
wonderful, and when we notice with
what regularity it builds six-sided cells,
we are filled with a curious interest;
but when we perceive that the bee can
only make a six-sided-cell, and that
under circumstances new and unusual,
iteannot change the form or manner of
its work, we are apt to rate the bee not
very high as constructive architect.
1t is annoying to perceive how dull
the bee is. He works on by himself.
He seems to care nothing for the wants
and suferings of those about him, and
outside of his own line of work he will
not aid even those belonging to his own
colony.
1t seems to be far otherwise with the
ant, and that is the reason why I take
delight in considering its ways. have
satisfactory evidence that ants possess
language whereby they can communi-
cate information about places and
things.
The way / satisfied myself about this
matter was by series of experiments
conducted several years ago. / found
an old spout which had been used to
conduct water, and which was COM
posed of three boards four inches wide
and nearly four feet long, and nailed
together in the usual way. stopped
the ends with pieces of board, and then
put IN fourteen thin partitions, so that
there were fifteen spaces, or divisions,
the top of each of course being open.
On one side | bored row of fifteen
holes, so that there was a hole into each
compartment just above the board that
formed the floor. l then numbered
each hole from one to fifteen, and then
sunk the contrivance into the ground,
slightly, so that the earth was on q
(. level with the holes.
dlgnified this structure bv giving it
the name of the ''Ants' Hotel" Here
was a house of fifteen rooms built for
the ants, but though they frequently
passed near it, they took no notice of it,
even when | placed some food in one
Oh the apartments. was near the spot
an entire afternoon, but l did not see
single ant enter the hotel.
Before night / removed the food,
winch consisted of some sugar placed
On piece of tin and moistened with
syrup; and the next day, in the fore
noon, again placed the food in one of
sle rooms, but no ant found it so far as
IN the afternoon I returned to the
spot and having several spare hours,
caagnt a wandering ant on stick, and
put aim near the food, which had been
paced IN room No. 8, and was pleased
70 see him eat readily. After feeding
eighs or ten minutes, he went away,
- anu followed him to his nest. While
.ne ant was feeding / marked him, so
nlae could recognize him thereafter.
having retraced my steps and taken
seat near the hotel, I noticed the same
L.ae ant returning, now no longer
O.oSn, Tor had sprinkled some flour
" ms back. The ant had been absent
eatiy twenty minutes, and after going
lo TWO or three wrong doors, he
sound the way to the right room and
.s;saned feeding. After feeding six or
sns minutes, the ant went away, but
sooa returned with another ant that
sso been told about the sugar, no
so soaot; apd they both went directly into
'V9m M eight and commenced feeding.
Inc first ant must have told the
Sa1a SSsc91a one to follow him, or more
hasly, ne conveyed the intelligence to
- ~ mate that there was place not far
.re ~ wnere food could be had without
aonoie. ! called the first ant A. and
s4g second one B, and marked him also.
after time A and B went away. In
ns noout nve minutes I saw two ants ap-
ss;;oacning the hotel, coming from the
tsaon tscceion OF the nest. ] had never seen
rsess ess ants before, and they went di-
9sly INTO room No. 5.
qua e. ant when hunting wanders about
- s.eat deal; but when his mind is bent
Il. my particular business, he makes
" S0urse IS straight as possible.