AXT COMMUNITIES 



is a small species (Dorymyrmex flarm). that digs its 

 little nests upon the great open spaces surrounding the 

 central mound of the Occident ant of Colorado. A 

 large commune of the latter which had been badly 

 damaged by the wash of heavy rains was a scene of 

 active rebuilding. Four moundlets of Dorvmvrmex 



/ / 



had been reared upon the pavement, one of them quite 

 near a centre of operations in one of the main tracks by 

 which the workers had ingress and egress. Here an 

 incessant warfare was being waged by the dwarfs upon 

 their big neighbors. Every Occident that essayed the 

 passage to or from the ground was attacked. Squads 

 of Dorymyrmex surrounded their single gate, and on 

 the approach of one of the Occidents the nearest war- 

 rior flung herself upon the unconscious intruder. That 



she was alone, that there 

 was such disparity in size 

 between her and her adver- 

 sary were facts that plainly 

 had no part in her calcula- 

 tions. 



It was curious to note 

 the effect upon Occident/alls. 

 She stopped instantly ; drew 

 her feet closer together; 

 stiffened the legs, thus rais- 

 ing her body well above the 

 earth ; bowed her back ; ele- 

 vated her head; stretched 

 out the sensitive antennae, 

 as though to guard them 

 aspecially from harm; opened the mandibles; and, in fact, 

 presented an amusing likeness to the pose of a cat at the 



196 



Fig. 79 WAR-LIKE DWARFS 



ATTACKING AN OCCIDENT ANT 



