H4 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, '09 



Second, the surface over which and through which the ant 

 can burrow is very extensive and yet the nest occupies very 

 little space and is very convenient to handle. 



Third, the nest cannot be destroyed through the accidental 

 displacement of an upper sheet of glass allowing the ants to 

 escape, as the cover is held in place. 



Fourth, it allows of a free view of the chamber and galleries 

 from all sides. If an especially bright light is desired an elec- 

 tric bulb can be lowered into the well. 



Fifth, the galleries and chambers have earthen roofs, floors 

 and two sides. This is of distinct value in studying the ants' 

 habits as they are found clinging to the roof of a chamber 

 almost as frequently as they are on the floor. 



Sixth, being of some depth the nest remains at different 

 degrees of moisture, thus corresponding to the natural nest. 

 The nest furthermore remains sufficiently moist over a long 

 period of time, thus avoiding destruction through drying. 



Seventh, the nest is quickly and cheaply made and is quickly 

 and easily cleaned. 



Eighth, tracings of the nest can be made by outlining the 

 galleries and chambers on the outside with a grease pencil and 

 taking a copy. I have found that the nest varies considerably 

 from day to day in that some galleries and chambers are filled 

 and others constructed. 



Ninth, grass seed scattered over the surface of the ground 

 will send down roots and provide aphid chambers and the like 

 for such ants as build in grass plots. If a little care is exer- 

 cised in not wetting the ground too much it will not "sour" 

 or mould. I have kept such nests going for months and found 

 the soil just as "sweet" at the end as at the beginning, the 

 galleries and chambers of the ant and the free exposure to air 

 by the gauze top keeping it sufficiently ventilated. 



To start the nest the material gathered in the field ground 

 and all is dumped into the inner chamber, the layer of earth 

 or sand between the jars having been previously moistened. 

 As the material introduced dries it will be found that the ants 

 seek moisture by building in the artificial nesting site and 



