Chapter I: Front Matter

_THE CONTEMPORARY SCIENCE SERIES._

EDITED BY HAVELOCK ELLIS.

THE INDUSTRIES OF ANIMALS.

THE INDUSTRIES OF ANIMALS.

BY

FRÉDÉRIC HOUSSAY.

WITH 44 ILLUSTRATIONS.

LONDON: WALTER SCOTT, LTD., 24 WARWICK LANE, PATERNOSTER ROW.

1893.

NOTE.

The English edition of this book has been revised throughout and enlarged, with the author's co-operation. Numerous bibliographical references have also been added. The illustrations, when not otherwise stated, are in most cases adapted from Brehm's _Thierleben_.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTION

The naturalists of yesterday and the naturalists of to-day--Natural history and the natural sciences--The theory of Evolution--The chief industries of Man--The chief industries of Animals--Intelligence and instinct--Instinctive actions originate in reflective actions--The plan of study of the various industries.

CHAPTER II.

HUNTING--FISHING--WARS AND EXPEDITIONS

The Carnivora more skilful hunters than the Herbivora--Different methods of hunting--Hunting in ambush--The baited ambush--Hunting in the dwelling or in the burrow--Coursing--Struggles that terminate the hunt--Hunting with projectiles--Particular circumstances put to profit--Methods for utilising the captured game--War and brigandage--Expeditions to acquire slaves--Wars of the ants.

CHAPTER III.

METHODS OF DEFENCE

Flight--Feint--Resistance in common by social animals--Sentinels.

CHAPTER IV.

PROVISIONS AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS

Provisions laid up for a short period--Provisions laid up for a long period--Animals who construct barns--Physiological reserves--Stages between physiological reserves and provisions--Animals who submit food to special treatment in order to facilitate transport--Care bestowed on harvested provisions--Agricultural ants--Gardening ants--Domestic animals of ants--Degrees of civilisation in the same species of ants--Aphis-pens and paddocks--Slavery among ants.

CHAPTER V.

PROVISION FOR REARING THE YOUNG

The preservation of the individual and the preservation of the species--Foods manufactured by the parents for their young--Species which obtain for their larvæ foods manufactured by others--Carcasses of animals stored up--Provision of paralysed living animals--The cause of the paralysis--The sureness of instinct--Similar cases in which the specific instinct is less powerful and individual initiative greater--Genera less skilful in the art of paralysing victims.

CHAPTER VI.

DWELLINGS

Animals naturally provided with dwellings--Animals who increase their natural protection by the addition of foreign bodies--Animals who establish their home in the natural or artificial dwellings of others--Classification of artificial shelters--Hollowed dwellings--Rudimentary burrows--Carefully-disposed burrows--Burrows with barns adjoined--Dwellings hollowed out in wood--Woven dwellings--Rudiments of this industry--Dwellings formed of coarsely-entangled materials--Dwellings woven of flexible substances--Dwellings woven with greater art--The art of sewing among birds--Modifications of dwellings according to season and climate--Built dwellings--Paper nests--Gelatine nests--Constructions built of earth--Solitary masons--Masons working in association--Individual skill and reflection--Dwellings built of hard materials united by mortar--The dams of beavers.

CHAPTER VII.

THE DEFENCE AND SANITATION OF DWELLINGS

General precautions against possible danger--Separation of females while brooding--Hygienic measures of Bees--Prudence of Bees--Fortifications of Bees--Precautions against inquisitiveness--Lighting up the nests.

CHAPTER VIII.

CONCLUSION

Degree of perfection in industry independent of zoological superiority--Mental faculties of the lower animals of like nature to Man's.

APPENDIX

INDEX

THE INDUSTRIES OF ANIMALS.