MORE ABOUT INSECTS 



71 



are two small openings through which are thrust two little 

 white pillars crowned with tentacles looking like two little 

 white sea-anemones. Ants are extremely fond of the honey 

 from this gland and al- 

 ways swarm about these 

 caterpillars. When an 

 ant approaches the little 

 white pillars are with- 

 drawn and a drop of 

 honey is exuded from 

 the gland which the ant 

 at once licks up. After 

 more honey has been 

 formed, up the pillars go 

 again, apparently as 

 signals to the ants. 



Many kinds of these 

 caterpillars are most 

 assiduously cared for by, 

 the ants in order that 

 they may secure a con- 

 stant supply of honey 

 from their honey glands. 

 Some tree ants, using 

 their grubs as we do 

 thread and needle, spin 

 protecting webs about 

 them; other ants cover 

 them with shelters of 

 various kinds from 

 which they drive them 



out at night to feed. Some sorts of these caterpillars when fully 

 grown are always taken by the ants into their nests where in 

 perfect safety they undergo their transformation into butterflies. 



A few ungrateful species impose upon the ants, allowing 

 the ants to tend them and protect them from their enemies in 



Figs. 52-54. Three curious Sharks. 

 For explanations of the figures see p. xiii. 



