NESTING ARCHITECTURE 



of his own race, who had carved out their toy-like homes 

 and temples in the solid wood. 1 



One of the most interesting examples of the storied 

 type of underground architecture is that of the honey- 

 ants of the Garden of the Gods (Myrmecocystus hor- 

 tideorum), Colorado, the farthest north they had been 

 observed. The approach to their nest was a small, 

 low, pebble-covered mound with a large central gate 

 which penetrated it vertically for a few inches, and then 

 was diverted into various passages that followed the 

 slope of the ridge on which the colony was planted 

 (Fig. 17). 



In one nest, chosen for complete exploration, excava- 

 tion was carried forward during three days and several 



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Fig. 17 EXTERIOR ARCHITECTURE OF HONKY- NTS OF THE 



GARDEN OF THE GODS (Myrmecocystus hortideorum) 



parts of days, two men working with mallet and chisel 

 and with knife in the soft, red sandstone, or " pudding- 

 stone," of which the ridge is composed. The entire 

 length of the formicary was seven feet eight inches. 



1 Nature's Craftsmen, p. 120. 

 1!) 



