HABITS OF ANTS 



247 



CHAPTER IV 



THE HABITS OF ANTS 



ANTS can be readily studied in artificial homes. 

 For this reason much will be expected from the in- 

 vestigations of the student. The accompanying sketch 

 shows a board with a trench, a moat, chiseled out around 



FIG. 190. Board plan for an artificial ant-nest. 



the outer half. This moat is one-half inch wide and 

 one-half inch deep; it should be well painted, to pre- 

 vent the escape of any water; then fill with water to 

 keep the ants within bounds. A strip of wood should 

 be nailed across each of the grain ends, to prevent the 

 board from warping. Place in the center of this board 

 a pane of glass ; surround the same with narrow strips 

 of wood about an inch thick ; place on this glass several 

 small narrow strips about the thickness of the ant's 

 body ; these strips are to support another pane of glass 

 equal in size with the first. Sprinkle a layer of sand 



