ANT COMMUNITIES 



At my first visit to this great commune it seemed like 

 an abandoned nest. On the spreading branches of the 

 overshadowing tree and on the defoliated vines at its 

 base were marks of recent raids of the leaf-cutters. 

 But no life was anywhere visible. The surface was 

 covered with earthen knobs or warts of various sizes, 

 and here and there were scattered small irregular heaps 

 of dry leaves and bits of leaves, and twigs. As evening 

 began to fall the scene changed. Hosts of ants of various 

 sizes, in countless numbers, suddenly burst from gates 

 that mysteriously opened for them, and began a hurried 

 march into a near-by jungle. Two large double columns 

 began to ascend the trunk of the live oak. Along their 

 flanks, both going and coming, moved the soldiers, 



Fig. 47 THE HEAD OF A TEXAS CUTTING ANT 



Enlarged eight times, to show furrow and spines and cutting jaws 



marked by their immense heads (Fig. 47). They rare- 

 ly handled the leaves, but seemed to act as scouts or 

 pioneers or attendant guards. 



88 



