ANT COMMUNITIES 



used principally for closing, a few pebbles being added. 

 The gate was not filled up quite flush with the surface 

 of the mound. At nest B, which had a double gate, 

 two workers-minor were the last and chief operators. 

 They brought gravel from near-by parts of the cone and 

 filled in the two openings flush with the surface. 



At nest C, with a single gate, a worker-major was 

 operating as at B. A number of ants had been en- 

 gaged at first filling and gradually closing the inside, 

 but all had retired within except one major. 

 When the gate was nearly sealed a straggling minor 

 came out of the grassy commons and essayed entrance. 

 Several trials and failures followed, whereupon she 

 commenced dragging dirt from the opening. 



While thus occupied the major came up with a huge 

 bit of gravel, which she dropped upon her comrade with 

 as much nonchalance as though she were one of the 

 adjoining pebbles. At last the minor dug out a tiny 

 hole through which she squeezed into the nest, and the 

 major, who was again deliberately approaching close 

 behind, carrying another pebble, straightway sealed 

 up the opening. During this amusing episode the 

 straggler did not try to aid the closer, being wholly 

 bent on entering, and the gate-closer paid her no atten- 

 tion beyond the first satisfactory antennal challenge. 

 Each moved forward to her own duty with the undis- 

 turbed placidity of a machine. 



At nest E by 6.30 P.M. most of the commune had 

 entered the cone; at 6.45 the gate was being closed; 

 at 6.55 only two ants were outside, slowly working at 

 the gate, then half shut. An ant came out with a bit 

 of straw, carried it to the refuse-heap, and returned. At 

 6.58 two ants came with chopped leaves, and at 7 P.M. 



70 



