Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-06
THE zIGzAGGMG ANT.
Scientific Study Of the Busy Work
er's Movements.

rum the Sclentlnc American.
1t has been a matter Of considerable dis
cussion just how ants find their way and
know their bearings in their complicated
and extensive wanderings over the sur
face OF the soil. 1t can hardly be said
that any consensus Of opinion has been
reached as to the mechanism by which
the ant. after leaving the nest in search
OF food. finds its way back to the point
from which it started. The problem is
somewhat complicated by the fact that an
ant does not return by the same track
as 1t went out. Some interesting and
rather remarkable observations have re-
Gently been made by Mr.. Cornetz. in AL
geria. and are noted in recent issue OF
La Nature.
According to this observer. the ant, In
its outward journey. proceeds throughout
In the direction initially chosen on its
return the insect places its body at the
same angle and walks in the opposite di-
rection. The body OF the ant would.
therefore, act as a kind Of compass
needle.
1t must be remarked that this observa-
ton applies in the first instance to sin
gle ant proceeding on its journey alone,
for. as Mr.. Cornetz rightly argues. the
proper study of the phenomenon must be-
gin with the consideration Of as simple as
possible case.
The author specially warns his reader
that an opinion should not be formed ex-
cept when complete journey has been
observed. No conclusions can be drawn
from isolated portions OF the ants move
ments. An individual ant leaving the nest
must be followed up from the time of its
departure until 1t returns to the ant hill.
The entire journey must be plotted, and
its course should be recorded as nearly as
possible In exact copy of nature.
II an ant Is caught at the nest and
transported to q point some yards dis
tant, the insect is quite incapable of find
ing its way back. 1t runs around on the
ground until 1t accidentally comes across
the entrance to the burrow. The case is
quite different il an ant Is allowed to find
Its way to distance unmolested. On
leaving the nest 1t places itself in q GER
tain direction and holds the same, nc
matter what obstacles 1t may meet with
en- route, and no matter what side tracks
1t may occasionally strike in order TO
seize some article of food or Of structural
value for it's nest. Finally the insect re-
verses its motion and returns, parallel to
the outward journey. The return is eff
fected directly, rapidly and without hest
tation, even IL the ground covered has
been swept in order to change Its relief.
The return is obviously determined COM
pletely by the outward trip, and an ant
which has left its nest on q VOYAGE of ex-
ploration finds its way back just because
1t has made the outward journey. II an
ant Is caught at the moment 1t returns to
the nest and is put down at the opposite
side of the opening. 1t first Of all arranges
It's axis In the direction originally adopt
ed, and then runs off rapidly away from
the nest and is put down at the opposite
that on its return the ant does not usu-
ally strike the nest exactly, but comes to
within few inches. and sometimes q few
feet, Of 1t. 1t then stops, and whereas.
until that moment, its progress was rapid
apd unhesitating, the insect now runs
around in a seemingly aimless fashion.
1t is from this moment on that sight
touch and smell are called to assistance
by the insect.