The Relation of Science and Religion.pdf - Online Christian Library

190 SCIENCE AAD RELIGION.activity of ANTS, ,which deserves ' attention.The ants are a race of iiisects as diligently illdustriousas the bees, like them also fond ofhoney and of all sweet substances; but unlikethem ready to devour other insects. Alongwith the industry of the bee, they have predatorytendelicies, leading them into conflictwith other races, or even involving differentorders of their own race in warfare. It is acurious fact, in this connection, that many ofthe flowering plants have contrivances whichguard them from the approach of ants. Creepinginsects find the way barred against themwhile the flying insect at once and easilyreaches the stores of honey, not knowing anything of the difficulties in the path of the lessfavored rival. Spikes grow with their pointsill a downward direction, against which nocreeping insect can rnake way; waxy or glutinousmatter is spread over the leaves, whichinsects shun as a trap; and there are velvetyflexible leaves from the edge of which the insecteasily slips off. Special attention hasbeen turned to this field of research by Kerner,:':an interesting outline of the results of* Rozoers and their Unbidden GLuests, by Prof. Kerner. Universityof Innsbruck.