PORTABLE ANT NESTS. 



ADELE M. FIELDE. 



IN order to keep ants under continued observation, and at 

 the same time to change occasionally the domicile of the 

 observer, it is necessary to have portable nests. The trans- 

 portation of either the Lubbock or the Janet nest is made 

 inconvenient by the water used for the isolation of the ants in 

 the former, and by the considerable weight of the latter. 



Six colonies can be successfully carried on journeys of 

 several hours or days by the use of a case made of half-inch 

 pine boards and dovetailed at the corners, with a door hinged 

 upon its lower side and held shut by two buttons at its upper 

 edge. The case measures on the inside 1624 inches in length, 

 63^ inches in horizontal depth, and 4% inches in height. Three 

 shelves, each one-fourth of an inch thick, are mortised into the 

 ends of the case, making four compartments, each one inch 

 high. Several holes are bored in the door of the case and in 

 the side opposite the door, to admit fresh air. The case is car- 

 ried by a leather handle fastened lengthwise to its top, and it is 

 just filled by the six nests hereinafter described. 



Of the six nests, there are two of each pattern, A, B, 

 and C. An A and a B nest together fill a shelf, while a C 

 nest fills a shelf alone. 



The nests are all built of clear glass, and their parts are 

 readily cut by any glazier. The joinings are made with 

 Le Page's liquid glue, which must thoroughly dry before the 

 nests are used. The cost of material and the amount of labor 

 required in making these nests are much less than for either 

 the Lubbock or the Janet pattern. 



The floors are panes of "double thick" glass, under which 

 is laid a thick sheet of white blotting paper of the same size as 

 the glass, to give opacity, elasticity, and a background against 

 which the ants are easily seen. The blotting paper should not 



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