208 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



of the more matured larvcfi ; the second the comparatively feeble, and the 

 third the charge of the herds. On the disturbance alluded to, each class 

 immediately set to work in the discharge of its prescribed duty. But as 

 it is to the third class that I shall particularly call attention, I shall be 

 compelled to pass over the two preceding classes, referring your readers to 

 the forthcoming Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural 

 Sciences, where their habits will be found minutely detailed. 



But now to the third class. When the disturbance took place, its 

 individual members were so intent upon soliciting by their caresses the 

 much coveted sweet, most likely to be used as food for the young larvae 

 (but this I could not determine at the time), that they did not seem to 

 notice the invasion of their jurisdiction. When fully aware of the fact 

 instead of leaving their flocks at the mercy of the invader, and seeking 

 their own personal safety by flight, each manifested the deepest concern 

 for the little creatures who pandered so willingly to their temporal welfare. 

 As if conscious of the debt of gratitude which they owed to them, they 

 carried them down into their underground dwellings, where they found 

 them comfortable quarters. Here it is plain that these tender creatures 

 receive as much, if not infinitely more, care and attention than man is apt 

 to bestow upon his flocks. Whether they bring the food to them or not 

 it is not my province to say ; but this I do affirm , that the galleries of F. 

 sanguiuea, whenever I have observed plant-lice therein, have always been 

 constructed where these little creatures can find an ample supply of 

 natural food. It may be probable that the lice are carried to the food ; 

 but that they are escorted to it by the ants is highly certain, as the slightest 

 disposition to stray away by the more roving ones, is instantly checked. 

 But on the whole, it cannot be denied that under the rule of their peaceful 

 masters — the ants — they lead happy and prosperous lives. 



NOTES ON COLLECTING. 



BY W. V. ANDREWS, NEW YORK. 



I can endorse (not necessary of course) Mr. Mead's " Notes on 

 Collecting," pub. p. 78, vol. 5 of the " Entomologist," with right good 

 will, having used similar methods myself for several years. I think I got 

 my idea from D. Girard Knaggs. 



