With respect to the group society of Polistes chinensis antennalis Perez, the relation of their order has been clarified by observing the inferior and superior behaviours among individuals. Among individuals constituting a group, their relation of order nearly linear is in existence. In such a series of order, founding females almost always occupies the most predominant position. Among individuals of a new generation, the individuals feathering in earlier periods generally occupy a higher rank. Such order, however, is not necessarily stationary, but a variation i n the order sometimes takes place partly. Dominance behaviour is frequently carried out among the individuals, whose order is relatively close one another. Especially in case of a struggle for an upper order, the most severe attack is launched on individuals at the rank directly subordinate. Between the founding females at the highest rank and other individuals, such dominance behaviours are not so frequently carried out. When after the constitution of a group, the number of aged individuals becomes increased and the founding females grow remarkably weakened by age after the lapse of a considerably large number of days, interference between the founding females and these individuals becomes intense and the number of times of the dominance behaviour is increased. As the result of the observation o f superior and inferior behaviours in a group composed of individuals of the same age, it was clarified that the distinguished differences depending on individuals is being observed in the behaviours of these individuals. It appears that this phenomenon has a bearing on the formation of the orderly system in a group society. The fact that the superior and inferior behaviours are observed among the individuals in a group, indicates the existence of psychological and social tension among these individuals. With the degree of tension further grown, it is believed that the social interference among these individuals becomes intensified, and the frequency of superior and inferior behaviours becomes higher. The index representing the intensity of tension among component members of the group society may be calculated by the following formula. Td=N×100
h×n ( n - 1 )
2 where Td: degree of tension, N: number of o b servations of the superior and inferior behaviours, h: time of observation, and n: mean number of individuals at the time of observation. When the change in social tension incidental to the course of development of the group society is examined through this method, an intensely strained state is observed among the individuals for a short period of time immediately after the formation of a group. This strained state is mitigated in due time, until finally a stable state is reached. After that, a period of relatively stabilized condition continues, though slight variations may be found. With the weakening by age of founding females, however, the degree of tension is increased once again. Following the death of founding females, a sudden increase of tension takes place. Making inquiries into the base of such phenomena, it may reasonably be concluded that the existence of the individuals extremely predominent exerts psychological pressure on other individuals, there by interfering with the growth of the strained state among these individuals, and restraining the superior and inferior behaviours, and thus the existence of the individuals extremely predominant plays an important role in the maintenance of the social order. As the result of the superior and inferior behaviours, each individual may find its position occupying in the series of order within the group, to which it belongs, and consequently the number of severe struggles among them may be reduced. It may be surmised, furthermore, that the restriction of the freedom of behaviour of each individual serves for the establishment of order in the entire society of nest, the smooth operation of the social life and the growth of the society.