WARRIOR ANTS, AND THEIR EQUIPMENT 



like, and others as peaceful, so among ants there are 

 species whose natural disposition is bold, fierce, com- 

 bative, and species that, in comparison, are timid and un- 

 warlike. An apt illustration of this is given by Professor 

 Wheeler [W. 1, p. 527], who found lodged in the leaves 

 of a Mexican tillandsia, colonies of ants of several dif- 

 ferent species. They seemed to be living on good terms 

 with one another, but were not so complacent toward 

 their human observer. While tearing the leaves asunder 

 the little Cremastogasters (brevispinosa) attacked him 

 vigorously, though their lilliputian stings and mandibles 

 hardly got through his outer skin. But the huge 

 Camponotus abdominalis rushed out in a body, and the 

 powerful jaws of the soldiers, reinforced by the copious 

 formic acid batteries of the whole company, compelled 

 him to give up his investigations. Two species of the 

 grotesque genus Cryptocerus were as gentle as lambs, 

 resting quietly on his hands and clothing. A group of 

 timid little Leptothorax petiolatus took to their legs; 

 while the superb, wasp-like Pseudomyrmas (gracilis) made 

 dashes at the investigator from among their glistening 

 larvse and pupa?, but hastened back, as if afraid to leave 

 their young. Here, at one view, could be noted the dif- 

 ferences in natural combativeness which one sees among 

 creatures of a larger sort. 



Professor Forel, during his visit to the United States, 

 observed a small troop of sanguine ants attack a com- 

 munity of Formica siibsericea. At the mere assault 

 the latter betook themselves to flight, carrying their 

 larva? and pupse. [F. 6.] Even these they permitted 

 the slave-making marauders to snatch away without 

 serious resistance. In all his extensive and varied ex- 

 perience, Forel had not seen such complete and absurd 

 x * 199 



