Chapter III: Preface: ,

BY THE AUTHOR.

Much has been written upon Ants: their form of government, and their labours, excited the admiration of the ancients equally with the moderns; but it is only in the present day that just observations have taken place of the fabulous recitals of Pliny and Aristotle.

The Naturalists of the last century attended to their transformations, discovered the sexes, and cleared up many essential points of their history. Learned anatomists, also, described their organs, classed the different kinds of Ants, and pointed out their generic characters.

To the individual who wishes to be acquainted with the history of these insects, it is no slight advantage, to be enabled to designate the species, without lying under the necessity of entering into long and minute descriptions; he can then devote himself entirely to the study of those laws by which these various tribes are governed, undertake new researches into their habitudes and industry, and have his attention solely occupied with the phenomena their instinct presents.

If I have made any progress in the History of Ants, I stand, in a considerable degree, indebted to the extensive works of M. Latreille, who, independent of the excellent descriptions, and complete classification he has given us of these insects, has, by his observations, contributed to remove several popular errors.

One of our contemporaries, trusting to a fertile and brilliant imagination, has been pleased so far to honour these little insects as to dress them out in all the virtues, excusing them the vices that so much disgrace the human species.

The History of Ants being yet incomplete, I have been induced to join my own observations to those of my learned predecessors, trusting that the perseverance with which I have studied the economy of Ants for several years has enabled me to fill up a portion of that void which still remains in this branch of science.

Animated with the desire of following the steps of the celebrated guide nature had placed near me, I undertook, under his auspices, works similar to those in which he had been distinguished, and found in this occupation the double pleasure, of interesting him and instructing myself.

I published in early life, some observations upon humble-bees, insects that live in a republic. These first attempts having been received by Naturalists more favourably than I had reason to expect, I flattered myself that I should be enabled to disclose some of the secrets in the History of Ants, whose societies, although much more extensive, present greater difficulties, in the investigation, from the diminutive size of the individuals composing them, and the obscurity in which most of their operations are enveloped.

These researches, which I am aware are still very imperfect, present so remarkable an assemblage of facts, that I am induced to lay them before the amateurs of Natural History, hoping they will meet a favourable reception.

Not to interrupt the course of my observations by anatomical details, I have placed in the introduction all that relates to the external organization of Ants. I have also added an abridged notice of facts collected by other Naturalists, whose writings may be easily procured, should the reader feel desirous of obtaining further information.

In these researches I have followed no methodical arrangement, having adopted the plan I considered the best adapted to elucidate the subject. I therefore commence, by giving an account of the art with which Ants construct their habitation.

These insects inhabit, for the most part, the bottom of their subterranean residence; hence there was a necessity of my being provided with an apparatus that would enable me to follow them in their domestic occupations. After describing the one I employed, I mention the great care which these little creatures take of the eggs, larvæ, and pupæ of their numerous family.

I devote an entire chapter to the history of the females; I describe their amours, and state the manner in which new colonies are established, and ancient ones preserved. Passing from the relation of Labourers with the winged individuals, to that of the Labourers among themselves, I accompany them in their migrations and excursions, notice their individual conduct, and then describe the combats in which they engage.

In the course of this work, several questions are discussed that may appear bold to those who do not see in insects any thing but organized machines, but they will not astonish the Naturalist, accustomed to distrust his own opinions. There are few individuals who have not perceived how absurd is the supposition of a blind instinct, and for some time past we have granted to animals, at least so it to me appears, a greater degree of knowledge than formerly.

If we reflect a moment on the complicated nature of that mechanism, we must put in place of a spark of that light in which we all participate, to enable it to accommodate itself to circumstances, to provide for the several necessities of a numerous colony, and to direct a multitude of springs in such a manner as to concur in the same end, we shall be tempted to prefer an hypothesis the most simple,--that which accords to insects a sufficient degree of intelligence for the conduct of their domestic affairs, to that which considers them as mere automatons.

But Ants, living as they do in society, and entering upon labours that require some degree of unanimity--have they no means of understanding, and of making known their wants and their situation to their companions? What are the connecting bonds of this numerous family? Have they chiefs, a government, a police? Do we find among them any proof of that subordination so boasted of by their panegyrists, and of that economical foresight which they present us as an example for our imitation?--These important questions would have alone engaged my attention, had I been able to follow any regular plan in my observations: but when we advance on an unknown region, we cannot trace before-hand the boundaries of our journey; and Natural History offers more than one proof, that to make new discoveries we must now and then quit the main road.

I was, however, far from expecting those extraordinary facts that presented themselves in the course of my researches; among them those of the Ants with their _pucerons_, which I have already published, and to which I have made several additions. But there are facts still more singular connected with the Ants of different species. The history of the Amazon Ants presents a phenomenon so opposed to what the manners of insects and other animals have hitherto offered us, and recalls so prominent a feature in the history of man, that I have given up a great portion of my time to its elucidation, and have considered it my duty to devote several chapters to it, with the view of making it known in all its detail, and of putting the reader in the way of judging or verifying the truth of my assertions.

I conclude the work by some general considerations which my observations have suggested to me, and by comparing the habits of Ants with those of other insects that live in a republic.

The title I have given to these researches is not to be taken in its fullest extent, since I have not studied the manners of _all_ the indigenous ants. I know twenty-three species of which I have not equally learned the history; but if the facts I have noticed, excite the attention of Naturalists, and induce them to fill up the outline I now lay before them, it will be the sweetest recompense for the labours to which I have been devoted.