Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 92.djvu/596

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��Popular Science Monthly

��"Educated" Ants the Latest Thing in Animal Training

THERE is a great fascination to many persons in the difficult task of train- ing animals and it is remarkable how won- derful has been the success of some train- ers, especially of ani- mals noted for their high intelligence. But, the efforts of the training enthusiasts have not been altogether con- fined to the higher animals; they have ih- cluded some of the less gifted creatures, and have even in-

���Coughlin's troupe of performing ants. The com- mands must be spoken in Antese, we anticipate

��terested themselves in the pesky flea.

The accompanying picture shows that even ants have been used for pedagogic experiments. John W. Coughlin, of Ells- worth, Me., succeeded in training these Madagascar ants to perform certain military movements and other tricks which are said to be remarkable. It is not reported which language the trainer used in giving his commands; at all events the insects must have understood it, for they obeyed the com- mands.

��flight he makes. At the end of each week the number of hours in the air and also the number of landings made are totaled and signed by the officer commanding the squadron to which the airman is attached, one of which is clearly shown in the illus- tration. Note that this particular page is signed by the ex- dancer. Captain Ver- non Castle,

��Commanding No. 84 Cana- dian Training Squadron.

The first entry in this log book gives one an idea of the dangers of the air. En- gine trouble forced the pilot to make a landing. A forced landing is difficult and dangerous, but as there is no mention of damage, it must have been made safely.

It is said that truth is stranger than fiction and if all the reports that fJ.ter through and reach us through the meaium of the newspapers are only half true, the log of an airman must be a masterpiece. Jules Verne wrote strange stories, but present-day facts leave even them behind.

��The Air Pilot's Flying Log Book and How It Is Used

YOU have heard of ship's log books, but here is a new kind of log — a small, tan, leather-covered book, seven and one-quarter inches long and four and three-quarters inches wide. On the cover is the title "Pilot's Flying Log Book." Every airman in the British Royal Flying Corps has one of these books issued to him the day he takes his first lesson in piloting an air- plane. Until he is honorably discharged or killed in action he must enter a record of each

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��An ainnaus loj; book. Each flight is recorded and each book must be almost an epic in itself

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