148 



THE GUIDE TO NATURE. 



resents the interior of a cavern more 

 than a half mile inland, was really first 

 formed by the ocean, before this part 

 of the country was uplifted. This 

 whole section of country seems to be 

 coral reefs and limestone formation, 

 so that as the water gradually found 



renowned Ruins of Mitla (south of 

 Oaxaca, Mexico) constructs its abode, 

 about one yard wide and in the center 

 about six inches high, perfectly cir- 

 cular hills. I neglected to bring a few 

 specimens of the interesting architects 

 along. 



INTERIOR OF CUEVAS DE CARIBISS, PROVINCE OF SANTIAGO DE CUBA 



Flash light photograph by Capt. Jos. Priest. 



its way through the interstices in the 

 rock, it carried a plentiful supply of 

 bicarbonate of calcium which formed 

 the stalactites and stalagmites which 

 adorn this cavern, a fine example of 

 which can be seen at The American 

 Museum of Natural History. 



The Ant as a Mineral Collector. 



BY CARL G. KLEIXSTUCK, KALAMAZOO, 

 MICHIGAN. 



I enclose herewith a small sample 

 of the building material with which a 

 comparatively small but rather big- 

 headed ant I found in the heart of the 



The whole glittering hill is formed of 

 myriads of those quartz crystals, mar- 

 velously uniform, and the most 

 wonderful fact of the whole thing is, 

 that far and near the most scrutinizing 

 observer is utterly unable to detect the 

 remotest sign of quartz neither above 

 nor directly underground. My guide, 

 wondering at my search and finally 

 asking for an explanation, laughingly 

 pointed to a row of hills four or five 

 miles distant and told me that each one 

 of the shining pebbles was carried by 

 one "ormida" from those mountains to 

 the hill in the ruins. Interesting isn't 

 it? 



