1881. J NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 41 



heads downwards, bodies awiy, etc. The workers passed by and 

 over them continually, for many days, witliout the slightest 

 apparent concern, and certainly without a single observed effort 

 to relieve their comrades, who could readily have been extricated 

 and drawn into the chambers. 



3 . 1 1 frequently happened that the rotunds dropped or were shaken 

 down from their perch against tlie roof to the floor. These creatures 

 remained in the positions in wliich they fell, except when they 

 chanced to so fall as to be able to clasp with their claws some 

 clod of earth, or bit of gravel, or the rough surface of the project- 

 ing walls or roof. In such case, they either recovered their perch, 

 or placed themselves in comparatively comfortable postures. The 

 gi-eater number, however, fell upon the round abdomen in such 

 wise tliat tlie body stood up quite erect (PI. YI, fig. 32), leaving 

 the legs thrust out unsuppoi'ted. These unfortunates were faitli- 

 fully attended, often cleansed and caressed, but in no single 

 instance did the workers attempt to right them and restore them 

 to the roof. Yet they were abundantly able to do so, with little 

 effort, and the fallen rotunds were in sore need of help. Some of 

 these lived for two months and longer in this awkward position, 

 but it was ver}"^ CAndent that they were extremely uncomfortable. 

 When it was practicable to extend m^' help to those near the 

 surface it was eagerlj'^ accepted, the offered stick or quill clasped 

 by the mandibles, sometimes assisted b}^ the feet, so firmh- as to 

 enable me to transfer the heav}' creatures to any point, even to 

 lift them out of the nest. Here again the idea or at least the act 

 of helpfulness was lacking. If we are to suppose the power of 

 communicating their distress and desires to have been possessed 

 by the bearers, we must think the workers even yet more lacking 

 in feeling and intelligence. 



4. One honej'-bearer was partly buried under her perch, that 

 portion of the roof having fallen. Her abdomen was quite covered 

 by the fine sand}' particles at the margin of the little landslide. 

 The task of rescuing her would have been easy to the workers, 

 but it was never undertaken, A sketch (PI. YI, fig. 28) was 

 made, shortly after the occurrence, which shows one worker- 

 minor standing before the rotund with head and bod}' erect, 

 antennae atent, with ever}- mark of curious interest in her deport- 

 ment. She watched the struggles and mute appeals (as it seemed 

 to me) of her unhappy comrade, who by great exertion had suc- 

 4 



