ANT COMMUNITIES 



their fellows aside or to go around them ; but this did not 

 occur to them, or the disposition to such service was 

 wanting. 



Again, as the galleries were made and honey-rooms 

 gradually took shape, most of the rotunds managed to 

 roll into them and secure a place therein. They pain- 

 full} 7 attained their perches unaided by the workers. 

 Some of them on their route got fastened in the gang- 

 way in most uncomfortable positions, with heads down- 

 ward and bodies variously awry. The workers passed 

 by and over them continuously for many days without 

 the least apparent concern, and without one observed 

 effort to relieve their comrades, who could have been 

 righted readily and drawn into the chambers. 



Once more, the rotunds often dropped or were shaken 

 from their perch against the roof to the floor. They 

 remained just as they fell, except when they were able 

 to clasp some near-by clod, or bit of gravel, or surface of 

 a wall. In such case they recovered their perch or 

 put themselves in a comparatively comfortable position. 

 The greater number, however, lit upon the round ab- 

 domen in such wise that the body was erect and the 

 legs were thrust out unsupported. These unfortunates 

 were faithfully attended, often cleansed and caressed, 



V 



after the prevalent hereditary manner toward depen- 

 dents, but in no single instance did the workers attempt 

 to right them and restore them to the roof. Yet they 

 were well able to do so, and the fallen rotunds were in 

 sore need of help. Some of them lived more than two 

 months in this awkward position (Fig. 97). 



But evidently thev were most uncomfortable, for the 



i V 



few who were within my reach eagerly accepted aid. 

 The offered stick or quill was clasped so firmly by the 



292 



