Ants, bees, and wasps : a record of observations on the habits of the social hymenoptera / by Sir John Lubbock.

  • Lubbock, John, Sir, 1834-1913.
Date:
1882
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Ants, bees, and wasps : a record of observations on the habits of the social hymenoptera / by Sir John Lubbock. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Although the observations of Huber, Fore], McCook, and others are no doubt perfectly trustworthy, there are a number of scattered stories about ants which are quite unworthy of credence; and there is also a large class in which, although the facts may be correctly recorded, the inferences drawn from them are very questionable. I have endeavoured, therefore, by actual experiments which any one may, and I hope others will, repeat and verify, to throw some light on these interesting questions. The principal point in which my mode of experi- menting has differed from that of previous observers has been that I have carefully marked and watched particular insects ; and secondly, that I have had nests under observation for long periods. No one before had ever kept an ants’ nest for more than a few months. I have one now in my room which has been under constant observation ever since 1874, i.e. for more than seven years.1 1 I may add that these ants are still (August 18S2) alive and well. The queens at least are now eight years old, if not more.