ANTS. 



account of her small size ( single-handed she does not seem to be able 

 to cope with a Phcidolc, as small as or smaller than herself ), she cannot 

 afford to relax discipline, like Lobopclta, even in the moment of victory. 

 Whatever the reason, a column of Alnictits (five or six abreast), so 

 long as it is above ground, never shows the slightest irregularity. 

 The destination of the column is not fixed before hand by scouts, as 

 is apparently the case with Lobopclta. It starts, and proceeds at a 

 long slinging trot, until a likely hole, crevice or ant's nest is met with, 

 \vliL-n it pours in. until enough having entered, the remainder of the 

 column goes on, in search of another hole. Moreover, at times, when 

 on the march, the column at a certain point in its length, turns off at 



an angle, striking out a new line, 

 and, though this menoeuvre is often 

 repeated, so far as I have seen, it 

 never happens a few files from the 

 head of the column, but always so 

 that each column shall be strong 

 enough to cope with any ant com- 

 munity likely to be met with. In- 

 deed, this manoeuvre seems often to 

 be of the nature of a flanking 

 movement. I have seen a strong 

 column, marching on a white ant 

 heap, detach in this way, columns 

 right and left, and the several de- 

 tached columns enter the heap from 

 different points of the compass. 

 The notion irresistibly forced on 

 FIG. 145. Workers and soldier < anyone, watching these manoeuvres. 



Ecitoti hamatnm drawn to the same scale. J s fant thev are either the result of 

 (Sharp.) 



preconcerted arrangement, or are 

 carried out by word of command." 



Brauns makes a similar observation on the South African species: 

 " .J-.nictns is not as sensitive to sunlight as Doryliis and therefore moves 

 over ground for considerable distances, especially after rain and when 

 twilight is setting in, or even in the bright sunshine. The files resemble 

 those of Anoinma, in miniature, of course, and are narrow, regular 

 columns. Of several expeditions of JJlnictus citi/cnii which I have 

 witnessed in the Orange Free State, one was noteworthy. In this 

 instance the ants carried their brood on the under side of their bodies, 

 just as it is borne by the Ponerinse, especially by Leptogenys, according 

 to my observations." 



