272 



HENRY C. MCCOOK. 



The figures are given roundly, without strict verification ; they show 

 vastly in favor of the mechanical energy and industry of the insect, 

 if such comparisons may be allowed to show anything, which is per- 

 haps doubtful. They may serve however to impiess some minds more 

 vividly than other methods, with the immense activity which marks 

 the wonderful realm of insect life. The advantage is yet more striking 

 when the period of tivne consumed in erecting an adult hill, as here- 

 tofore shown, is compared with the thirty years which one hundred 

 thousand men spent in building the pyramid. Moreover, as will also 

 appear, the superstructure or hill, is by no means the whole of the 

 formicary. A vast system of subterraneous galleries penetrates the 

 earth to unknown depths and distances, requiring labors which in 

 magnitude may well be compared with those which excavated the 

 catacombs of Rome. 



The above statements conclude the results of my observations upon 

 the architectural habits of the Fallow Ants of the Alleghenies. It 

 remains to give some account of their general habits. The opportunity 

 to study upon the field the internal economy of the formicaries is very 

 limited. For this the use of an artificial nest seems necessary. But 

 I was enabled, more through good fortune than skill, to note some 

 characteristics which, I believe, have not yet been recorded. In order 

 properly to present these some reference to well known habits will 

 be required. 



A general description of the insects will first be of interest. These 

 forms are found in the nest : male, female, worker-major, worker-minor. 



Fig. 5.— Maleof i^.?-!t/a, magnified. Fig. 6.— Female of F. rufa, magnified, 

 and dwarf The length of these forms, stated approximately, is as 



