John Lubbock

“ On the contrary, in nests possessing a queen, workers have been abundantly produced. The inference to these curious physiological facts leads to the presumption that, as in the case of bees, so also in ants, some special food is required to develop the female embryo into a queen. In Sir John’s nests, while from accidents and other causes many ants are lost during the summer months, in winter, nevertheless, there are few deaths, As to the age attained, specimens of Formica fusca and F. sanguinea, still lively, are now four and others five years old at least. ”

“ In the several experiments with different species of ants and under varied circumstances, these seem to indicate the possession by ants of something approaching language. It is impossible to doubt that the friends were brought out by the first ant, and as she returned empty-handed to the nest the others cannot have been induced to follow merely by observing her proceedings. Hence the conclusion that they possess the power of requesting their friends to come and help them. ”

“ Studying the relations and treatment of the aphides, or plant-lice of the ants, Sir John clearly demonstrates that not only are the aphides kept and protected in the ants' nests, but the eggs of Aphis laid outside on the leaf-stalks of its food-plant in October, when exposed to risks of weather, are carefully brought by ants into their nests, and afterwards tended by them during the long winter months until March, when the young ones are again brought out and placed on the young vegetable shoots. ”

“ Without entering into details of instances it may broadly be affirmed that in the queenless nests males have been produced, and in not a single case has a worker laid eggs which have produced a female, either a queen or a worker. ”

“ Such difference in conduct, Sir John suggests, may be due to his own ants having been living in a republic; for it is affirmed that bees long without a queen are strongly averse to adopt or accept another. ”

“ This proves prudential motives, for though our native ants may not lay up such great supplies of winter stores of food as do some of those found abroad, they thus nevertheless take the means to enable them to procure food during the following summer. The fact of European ants not generally laying up abundant stores may be due to the nature of their food. Insects and small animals form portions of their food, and these cannot always be kept fresh. ”

“ It would further appear from the fact that they recognize their friends even when intoxicated, and that they know the young born in their own nest, even when they have been brought out of the chrysalis by strangers, indicating, therefore, that the recognition is not effected by means of any sign or password. With regard to workers breeding, the additional evidence tends to confirm previously advanced views, that when workers lay eggs males are always the issue of these. ”