PROBLEM OF COMMUNAL DEPENDENTS 



On the broad plaza of one city half a dozen or more 

 young queens were out at the same time. Their play 

 took the form of running up a large pebble near the gate, 

 facing the wind, rising to a rampant posture, and so 

 down again. Several having ascended the stone at one 

 time, there ensued a playful passage-at-arms for position. 



Fig. 78 WINGED FEMALE ANTS AT PLAY ON THE PLAZA 



They nipped one another gently with their mandibles, 

 and chased one another from favorite spots. Their 

 whole demeanor was that of a party of romping youth 

 playing "tag" or "hold the fort'' upon a big rock. 

 [McC. 7, pp. 4, 22.] 

 While the young queens lightly nipped one another in 



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