1881.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 67 



inmates of the formicaiy are composed of two distinct species, 

 apparently even of different genera, of ants. There are the ordi- 

 nary yellow workers and houey-bearers of Melliger, and besides, 

 black workers, who act as guards and purveyors. One column of 

 the blacks surrounds the openings on three sides, attacking, 

 driving off or destroj'ing all intruding insects. Another column 

 bears, through the unguarded side of the hollow square, fragments 

 of flowers, aromatic leaves and pollen, which (adds our author), 

 by a process analogous to that of the bee, the honej'-makers con- 

 vert into honej'." 



One can hardly refrain from the thought that Capt. Fleeson 

 was testing the credulity of the writer by one of those jokes of 

 which naturalists are occasionally the victims. But, if the narra- 

 tive is to be taken in good faith, I can onl}^ explain the facts by 

 supposing, first, that the observer happened upon a nest of cutting- 

 ants (Atta fervens), within whose boundaries a nest of Melliger 

 had chanced to be established, and had confounded the habits of 

 the two as those of one formicary; or, second, that the cutting- 

 ant, or some other species of similar economy, has really acquired 

 the habit of kidnapping and domesticating the honej'-ant for the 

 sake of its treasured sweets, precisely as man}^ ants domesticate 

 aphides ; or, as the slave-making ants, Formica sanguinea and 

 Folyergus lucidus, domesticate Formica fusca and F. Schauffusxi.^ 



One of the latest accounts of the honey-ant, and so far as it 

 goes, one of the best, is that of Mr, Saunders, the editor of the 

 Canadian Entomologist,^ who communicates to his journal some 

 observations made by Mr. Kummeck, at Santa Fe.^ According 

 to this observer, considerable numbers of these insects are found 

 in the mountains of that vicinity. He sat by a nest six or seven 



1 One may not be over rash in refusing belief even to facts that go counter 

 to all past experiences, for the marvels of Nature are ever widening within 

 our view. While, therefore, I am inclined to reject the whole story, I await 

 the observation of some trained naturalist, giving the account the benefit 

 of the above possible explanations. 



2 Can. Entom., 1875, Vol. VII, pp. 12-13. 



* I may be permitted to explain why I did not go to New Mexico, to 

 attempt on the spot a solution of some of the questions raised by these 

 accounts. I had made every arrangement to do so, after my studies in the 

 Garden-of-the-gods were completed, but on the morning that I was to break 

 camp, was taken with a sudden and violent illness which compelled me to 

 abandon my journey. 



