The Descent of Man

powers of worker-ants, would require, as Pierre
Huber has shewn, a large volume; I may,
however, briefly specify a few points. Ants certainly
communicate information to each other,
and several unite for the same work, or for games
of play. They recognise their fellow-ants
after months of absence, and feel sympathy for
each other. They build great edifices, keep them
clean, close the doors in the evening, and post
sentries. They make roads as well as tunnels
under rivers, and temporary bridges over them,
by clinging together. They collect food for the
community, and when an object, too large for
entrance, is brought to the nest, they enlarge
the door, and afterwards build it up again.
They store up seeds, of which they prevent the
germination, and which, if damp, are brought
up to the surface to dry. They keep aphides and
other insects as milch-cows. They go out to battle
in regular bands, and freely sacrifice their
lives for the common weal. They emigrate according
to a preconcerted plan. They capture