"One of the most interesting volumes of the series."—New York Christian at Work.
"Few subjects have a greater fascination for the general reader than that with which this book is occupied."—Good Literature, New York.
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For sale by all booksellers; or sent by mail, post-paid, on receipt of price.
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New York: D. APPLETON & CO., 1, 3, & 5 Bond Street.
Ants, Bees, and Wasps.
A Record of Observations on the Habits of the Social Hymenoptera.
By Sir JOHN LUBBOCK, Bart., M. P., F. R. S., etc.,
Author of "Origin of Civilization, and the Primitive Condition of Man," etc., etc.
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With Colored Plates. 12mo. Cloth, $2.00.—————————
"This volume contains the record of various experiments made with ants, bees, and wasps during the last ten years, with a view to test their mental condition and powers of sense. The principal point in which Sir John's mode of experiment differs from those of Huber, Forel, McCook, and others, is that he has carefully watched and marked particular insects, and has had their nests under observation for long periods—one of his ants' nests having been under constant inspection ever since 1874. His observations are made principally upon ants because they show more power and flexibility of mind; and the value of his studies is that they belong to the department of original research."
"We have no hesitation in saying that the author has presented us with the most valuable series of observations on a special subject that has ever been produced, charmingly written, full of logical deductions, and, when we consider his multitudinous engagements, a remarkable illustration of economy of time. As a contribution to insect psychology, it will be long before this book finds a parallel."—London Athenæum.
"These studies, when handled by such a master as Sir John Lubbock, rise far above the ordinary dry treatment of such topics. The work is an effort made to discover what are the general, not the special, laws which govern communities of insects composed of inhabitants as numerous as the human beings living in London and Peking, and who labor together in the utmost harmony for the common good. That there are remarkable analogies between societies of ants and human beings no one can doubt. If, according to Mr. Grote, 'positive morality under some form or other has existed in every society of which the world has ever had experience,' the present volume is an effort to show whether this passage be correct or not."—New York Times.
"In this work the reader will find the record of a series of experiments and observations more thorough and ingenious than those instituted by any of the accomplished author's predecessors. . . . . Sir John has been a close observer of the habits of ants for many years, generally having from thirty to forty communities under his notice, and not only watching each of these in its carefully isolated glass house, but, by the use of paint-marks, following the fortunes of individuals. . . . . One notable result of this system has been the correcting of previous theories as to the age to which ants attain: instead of living merely a year, as the popular belief has been, some of Sir John's queens and workers are thriving after being under observation since 1874 and 1875."—New York World.