Book excerpt: "The Reddish Polyergus, the most powerful ants of France by their courage in the fighting, form a people composed of four orders of citizens: males, females, neutrals or warriors ... and slaves, workers conquered on suitable species. I am neutral, and I am proud of it. Is there a life more noble, more chivalrous than mine: to fight, to conquer or to die!... We live for years, and all this time we spend it to serve the country and the nation, to contribute to its greatness, to its power; to make us serve as kings ... and enjoy the sun!"