1880.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 381 



ceiling, or are snugged in little clusters with the slaves. In 

 changing formicaries they were found thus rolled together in 

 balls, slaves and masters — or more properly, mistresses, for all 

 workers are undeveloped females — mingled in a promiscuous mass. 



One such change was made October 14th, the weather at the 

 time being chillj-, and the furnaces not yet fired in the house. 

 But little eftbrt was made to dig new galleries until evening, when 

 I warmed up the glass globes b}- a gas-lamp. My experience here 

 has been quite the opposite of Ruber's, who took such pains to 

 keep his artificial nests of P. rufescens from the light. Just as 

 with my agricultural ants, so P. lucidus at once turned to the 

 genial warmth and light, gathering in a great ball within the com- 

 fortable glow. A few of the slaves mounted the glass in the 

 warmest place to be found. As often as 1 would revolve the globe, 

 the cluster of snu^ffing; ants would unravel and transfer itself in 

 new mass upon the side toward the flame. The slaves also cheer- 

 lully work on the side toward the light, and indeed seem to prefer 

 to do so. 



Lucidus cleanses herself quite freely, but also I have very 

 frequently seen her soliciting the slaves to this service, who some- 

 times consent, and go over the bodj- from antenn* to abdomen, 

 licking and scraping it. The need of this service especially 

 appeared upon examining a dead Lucidus. Its body at various 

 parts was covered with minute white, ovoid objects, apparently 

 parasite eggs. I thought them parasites, but could discover no 

 trace of life, or appearance of being living creatures. One seemed 

 to be suspended to the ant's body by a thread-like attachment. 

 Man}' of the slave-makers are thus aftected. While taking out the 

 colony one slave was found upon wliieh were fastened two small 

 white insects, apparently mites, which I could not then examine, 

 and unfortunately lost among ni}- specimens. I have often ob- 

 served ants to be infested with mites in natural site, and particu- 

 larly in artificial nests. The greatest care is required to keep 

 them in healthy condition while in confinement. The admirable 

 structural provision for cleansing the person given to ants,' is 

 certainly needed in view of the liability to such dangers. 



The listless, heavy manner that is characteristic of Lncidus in 

 common, is Avholly changed at any alarm, or the presence of an 

 enemy. Her true character and duty to the community then 



' See " Agricultural Ant of Texas," p. 130. 



