226 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [October, 



by only one species of ants, there presented itself an opportunity 

 to make some simple experiments that might throw some light 

 on the relationship of ants to the aphids as well as to each other. 

 The number attending a given colony varies, as individuals are 

 continually coming and going, but at no time will the colony 

 become quite deserted. 



Capturing one of the small black ants and transferring it to a 

 plant on which the small brown ants were found, it started up the 

 stem, but on reaching the aphids it soon encountered one of the 

 brown ants, which at once gave the chase and the intruder got 

 down the plant as rapidly as possible. Transferring the same to 

 a plant on which the large brown or black ants were found, it 

 would also at once be attacked and had to beat a rapid retreat. 

 Now transferring one of the large black ants, which were at 

 least twice the size of the smaller, and starting it up a plant on 

 which the small black ants were found, it would also at once be 

 attacked. Sometimes the large ant, which probably considered 

 itself more than a match for the smaller ones, would seem to pay 

 no attention to the attack at first, but proceeded among the 

 aphids to gather the sweet fluid ; but as the attack of the first 

 would soon be re-enforced by others it did not take long to con- 

 vince the large one that he was trespassing upon private property, 

 and he would beat a quick retreat or let himself fall to the ground. 

 Repeated attempts on all the four species to get them to mix on 



the same plant invariably resulted in the driving off of the intru- 

 der, while the small ants, as well as the large brown one, 

 would retreat by running down the stalk : the large black ant 

 would usually let itself drop to the ground as soon as it became 

 aware of its mistake, evidently having found this the surest and 

 quickest way of freeing itself from a combined attack of the 

 smaller ones. 



In transferring, on the other hand, one of the black ants, or 

 either of the four, to a different plant on which the same species 

 was found, it would meet no resistance, but had full freedom to 

 the use of the Jerseys. 



These simple experiments, which were repeated several times 

 with practically the same results, go to show that ants hold prop- 

 erty, not only as real-estate in their homes or nest, but also what 

 might well be called personal property, which they may acquire 

 and hold at some distance from their homes, just as man would 

 hold his herd of cattle on the prairies. They will also take care 

 of and defend their property with as much spirit and effect as 

 ever a cowboy defended the herd intrusted to his care. 



