AXT COMMUNITIES 



which reference will be made hereafter as the " hysterical 

 hills/' on account of the abnormal state of excitement 

 which marked their inmates, and for which no reason 

 was apparent. Large pieces of the mounds D and E, 

 which were twelve feet apart, were interchanged, tossed 

 violently from one to another. Although swarming 

 with insects intensely agitated, there was no appear- 

 ance of hostility at either mound. 



I then proceeded to F, one hundred and fourteen feet 

 distant, and called out the ants until the cone was 

 fairly black with them. From the densest centre of 

 life was cut out a section about six inches square and 

 borne hurriedly to D, catching en route the dropping 

 ants in a hat. The contents of shovel and hat were 

 thrown upon the cone in the midst of its hosts of in- 

 habitants. Even this violent invasion which, with an 

 alien species would have been a signal for war and 

 slaughter, was not resented. There were sharp antennal 

 challenging and quick response, and then the new- 

 comers melted away into the mass of their enforced 

 hosts, as fellow-citizens "to the manner born." There 

 was complete fraternization, which was not afterward 

 disturbed by any breach of the peace. 



The final test w y as an artificial nest prepared in a large 

 glass jar within which earth, sticks, and surface litter 

 were placed. Ants taken from a number of mounds 

 situated in parts of the field and wood most remote from 

 one another were put in. Cocoons from yet other 

 cones were added. Aphides, water, and honey were 

 then given them. This miscellaneous assemblage united 

 with the utmost harmony in building galleries, caring 

 for the cocoons, and defending the nest from intruded 



ants of separate species and from spiders. From time 



6 



