FOUNDING OF SLAVE-MAKING COMMUNES 



from the species Formica sanguined and Polyergus ru- 



fescens that respectively represent them. In communes 

 of the Sanguine type the dominant species preserves 

 all normal ant characteristics in full potency, and co- 

 operates with the auxiliary or " subject'' species in 

 civil responsibility and labor. In the Polyergine type 

 of colony the dominant species, Polyergus rufescens- 

 luciduSj the "Shining slave-maker/' has lost all disposi- 

 tion and even ability to any service but that of conduct- 

 ing periodic predatory raids and supplying the com- 

 mune with captives. 



It seems an odd coincidence, in view of the preference 

 for African slaves among men, that the ants most af- 

 fected by the slave-makers are the dark species and 

 varieties, particularly Formica fusca and its glossy-black 

 American variety Formica subsericea. Both the San- 

 guine and the Shining slave-makers victimize these spe- 

 cies more freely, perhaps, than any others. This is due, 

 doubtless, to their greater feebleness and comparative 

 timidity, as well as their adaptability to associated 

 service. 



We are now to undertake an inquiry into the natural 

 conditions out of which this interesting phase of emmet 

 life may have arisen. 1 In so doing, it is well to remem- 

 ber that our search after the origin of habit must always 

 be more or less like progress up a blind alley wherein 

 we are sure to come to a point where a blank wall faces 

 us. For, follow back our inquiry as far as we may by 

 observation and experiment, and b}^ reasoning there- 

 upon, we come at last to the mystery unsolved, and 

 seemingly unsolvable by our natural methods how 



1 For a study of the habit itself, see Nature's Craftsmen, chap. v. 

 1 8 263 



