Rensselaer Union and Jasper Republican, Volume 8, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 May 1876 — Curious Companions. [ARTICLE]

Curious Companions.

Ton great insect-class|exemplifieß many remarkable associations, most of which, however, are examples of parasitism For instance, a curious relationship exists between ants and certain species of beetles. Indeed, some species of beetles which are totally blind, are nowhere to be found save in the nests of certain kinds of ants. These beetles are farther known, to be carefully tended by the ants, who at once attack any intruder into their nests, however nearly allied the latter may be to their blind friends. This is more mysterious than die well-known friendship that exists between ants and plant-lice, since the beetles do not, so far as observation has gone, furnish any secretion to, or otherwise benefit their hosts. One species of these blind (Claniger Duualii) is only found within the nests of a species of ant—the Latiut niger. Some ant-nests of this species may, however, be destitute of these beetle visitors; and when the latter are artificially introduced in such guestless homes, the ants at once kill them. M. Lespes, who has given us these details, thinks that the latter fact may be accounted for by dhe supposition that some ant-colonics are more highly “civilized” than others; but this explanation is more ingenious than probable or satisfactory. Among fishes, many examples of association with other fishes of widely different kinds, and for reasons not always apparent or explainable, are also to be found. The great fish frequently cast upon our shores after storms, and known as the Angler-fish or Fishing-frog (Lophiu* pi»catoriut), appears in many cases to give shelter, as a willing or unwilling host, to a kind of eel, which lives within the capacious gill-chambers of the Angler, and doubtless subsists on the food-particles which may find access to its abode, from the equally capacious mouth. The wellknown Pilot-fish has received its name from its supposed habit of piloting sharks toward their prey; whilst, as was believed by the. ancients, it also warned the seamonster against dangers of all kinds. Of the mere fact of the companionship between sharks snd.the Pilot-fish, there can be no doubt; bat it seems to be doubtful if the attendance is of the disinterested kind just alluded to, as the contents ot the stomach in the Pilot-fish, we are told, generally consists of food which it has picked up for itself. It is therefore not a mere parasite, bat may probably follow the shark from the expectation that its chances of picking up food are greatest in the neighborhood of so powerful a caterer.

The remora, or sucking-fish, in virtue of possessing a peculiar sucker on the top of its head, forms associations with other fishes, probably as an aid to locomotion. Fixed to the body of another fish, this clinging companion is saved all further trouble of movement on its own account, and roams wheresoever its foster-friend may list.—Chambers’ Journal. Or two threads of precisely the sam*. length and weight, the one span from cotton, never compressed, the other from a bale subjected to hydraulic pressure, (as is now commonly done in shipments from the South), the first will sustain twice the weight which the other will uphold, and the first retains its glossiness and Jliken sheen, and the otherlsduU and lusterless. —- Exchange. Farina Puddingi.—Five ounces of farina stirred gradually and boiled in one quart of milk, then let tt cool; separate the yelks and whites of five eggs; beat the whites to a stiff froth, and stir the yelks sad sugar together ; then stir all into the cool boiled farina: flavor and bake; it will be tight like • suffle if made in this manner. i.