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

  • Lubbock, John, Sir, 1834-1913.
Date:
1929
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

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

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    I had intended to make my observations principally on bees ; but I soon found that ants were more con- venient for most experimental purposes, and I think they have also more power and flexibility of mind. They are certainly far calmer, and less excitable. I do not attempt to give anything like a full life- history of ants, but I have here reproduced the substance of two Royal Institution lectures, which may serve as an introduction to the subject. Many of the facts there recorded will doubtless be familiar to most of my readers, but without the knowledge of them the experiments described in the subsequent chapters would scarcely be intelligible. I have given a few plates illustrating some of the species to which reference has been most frequently made; selecting Lithography (as I was anxious that the figures should be coloured), and having all the species of ants drawn to one scale, although I was obliged in some measure to sacrifice the sharpness of outline, and the more minute details.* I am indebted to Mr Bates, Dr Gunther, Mr Kirby, and Mr Waterhouse for their kind assistance in the preparation of the plates. As regards bees and wasps, I have confined myself for want of space to the simple record of my own observations. I am fully conscious that experiments conducted as mine have been leave much to be desired, and are scarcely fair upon the ants. In their native haunts and under natural conditions, more especially in warmer climates, they may well be expected not only to manifest a more vivid life, but to develop higher powers. I hope, however, that my volume will at least show the great interest of the subject, and the numerous problems which still remain to be solved. High Elms, Down, Kent. 18th October, 1881. * [These plates are not reproduced in the present edition. The coloured plates especially prepared for this edition are designed to show as much detail as space will allow, and to indicate the size of the insects by lines beside every figure.—Ed. Note.]