THE BUTTERFLY AND ITS ALLIES 



35 



the termites, will hardly be confused with them. From 

 the termites ants may be distinguished by the fact that the 

 first segment of the abdomen forms a small knot or scale 

 lying between the thorax and the remainder of the ab- 

 domen (Fig. 35). 



The intelligence of ants is notorious. This intelligence 

 has developed in connection with a highly organized social 

 life. This social life is a communistic one. Homes are 

 built, food is gathered, wars are made, and domains are 

 defended bravely and loyally all for the sake of the entire 

 community. The individual is little regarded, and each 



:'~ , - - . " 



FIG. 35. Camponotus, the carpenter ant. Uniformly black. Shows scale 

 behind thorax. Nat. size. Photo, by W. H. C. P. 



one is born to a caste from which escape is impossible. 

 For, in addition to the distinction of sex characteristic of 

 other species, we have here workers, and these workers may 

 be of different kinds. Thus certain workers get food and 

 care for the young ; others, which serve as soldiers and 

 defend the colony or conduct war, are in some cases pro- 

 vided with powerful jaws. In some species there are three 

 or more classes of workers, each having its characteristic 

 form of body. 



Ant Colonies.- -A colony is founded by a female. On 

 warm days the young males and females may leave the 

 nests and take flight in great numbers. This is the mar- 

 riage flight of the queens. Within a few hours after 



