298 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE NEUTERS OF FORMICA 



SANGUINEA. 



BY THOMAS G. GENTRY. 



A few days ago, while engaged in the collection of Coleopteva 

 underneath stones and decayed logs, ray attention was attracted 

 by a nest of Formica sanguinea. Scattered over the ground to 

 receive the warmth of the sun, were numberless larvae of the ant, 

 in diverse stages of development. Some had apparently just es- 

 caped from the ova, while others were nearly ready to pass into 

 the condition of pupa?. 



Two external apertures of the nest were all that could be dis- 

 cerned leading to chambers below. Many neuters working ants 

 were observed performing the duties of nurses to the offspring. 

 On close examination they appeared to be divided into two classes : 

 one having the exclusive charge of the almost mature larvai; the 

 other, the care of the more feeble. 



As is customary with ants in an invasion of their territories, 

 the larvjB were removed to places of security-. Tlie larger grubs 

 were conveyed to a separate apartment b}' workers whose special 

 duty it seemed to be ; while the less vigorous were taken posses- 

 sion of by another set, and hidden away in another chamber of 

 the habitation. After the last individual of the former had been 

 cared for, I expected to see the first set come out and assist in the 

 removal of their more tender offspring, that were still l^'ing pro- 

 fusel}" about. But I was disappointed. AVith a view to test my 

 observations, I dropped several of these last into the mouth of the 

 first passage-way, tliinking that possibly the sight of these would 

 stimulate them to further exertions. But all my attempts to draw 

 them out were in vain. These larvse remained wiiere I had placed 

 them, until their own properly constituted nurses observed them, 

 when they were immediately seized and carried to appropriate 

 quarters. 



After the tumult had subsided, I opened the liorizontal channel 

 that led to the first chamber. It was about two inches in length 

 and half an inch beneath the surface. Here, packed awa}'' in a 

 commodious chamber, were a score or more of ants, each with the 

 object of its solicitude by its side. 



