ANT-NESTS. 



21 I 



ligneous carton by the nest- founding queens and subsequently per- 

 forated by the workers. 



Even more interesting is the behavior of Colobopsis etiolata when 

 it nests in Ho/cassis galls. This ant (Fig. 115) has strongly marked 

 soldiers, with peculiar truncated, roughened, stopper-shaped heads which 



FIG. 117. Holcaspis cincrosns gall opened to show ants and their galleries in 

 its woody substance. Two workers and three soldiers are shown ; one of the latter 

 in the act of closing the hole which serves as an entrance. (Original.) 



exactly fit the circular holes in the galls (Figs. 116 and 117). These 

 individuals are, therefore, told off to act as animated portals to the nest. 

 When a worker wishes to forage on the branches of the oak, it ap- 

 proaches the stationary soldier from behind and palpates its gaster. 



