Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 2 (1878).djvu/131

Rh instinct of bringing up larvæ and the power of founding communities. In this field close observation is yet wanted. As to the Ants intimating to each other their discovery of food, this does not necessarily imply any power of describing localities; for it seems that rather by a simpler sign do co-workers accompany each other to the discovered treasure. Sir John's experiments again rather negative the idea of these creatures using sounds to acquaint their fellows of any repast they may come across, no summons that he could make out being given to the brotherhood, though but a short distance separated them in the experiments thereon. The affection of Ants for their friends is out-balanced by their hatred of strangers. In instances specified, a few of each were kept prisoners in separate bottles, and prevented escaping or partaking of food by the mouths of the bottles being secured with wide-meshed muslin. Those Ants outside, running freely about, again and again excitedly endeavoured to attack the strangers; but they paid no heed to their friends, neither feeding them nor aiding them to get out, though all the while fiercely biting the muslin guarding the strangers. Further experiments prove that it is by scent far more than by sight the Ants are guided in following up tracks of food, &c, which has been shifted in position after their once having partaken of it, returned to their nest, and again sallied forth in search of the repast. Ants avoid light when this is thrown into their nests, and they then congregate into the darkest corners. Taking advantage of this habit, and by a series of ingeniously-contrived experiments,—wherein strips of coloured glass, in other instances shallow cells, containing coloured solutions, such as fuchsine, bichromate of potash, chloride of copper, &c, were used,—Sir John arrives at the conclusion that Ants, like Bees, are influenced by the sensation of colour; though in the case of the Ants its effects, probably, are different from those produced on the retina of man. In the Ants experimented on, a predominate preference was given by them to red; green followed; yellow came next; while to blue they appear to have a decided aversion. On the subject of the influence of colour much yet requires to be examined, viz., the effects of chemical rays, spectroscopic experiments, &c. The longevity of Ants, again, from what these series of observations elucidate, would appear to be greater than the generality of authorities admit; for some specimens of Formica fusca in Sir J. Lubbock's possession are now at least five years old, and still lively.

Mr. Thiselton Dyer made a brief communication on the so-called "Rain Tree," of Mogobamba, South America, which promised to excite as much interest amongst residents in hot, dry countries as the supposed antimalarious properties of the "Fever Tree" (Eucalyptus globulus) had done amongst inhabitants of hot, wet ones. From information from Mr. Spruce it seemed probable that the "Rain Tree" was Pithecolobium Saman, and the so-called "rain" the fluid excreta of Cicadas which fed on the juices of