A TOUR THROUGH A TEXAS ANT-HILL. 267 



minims, tlie very small forms, creeping out of minute 

 holes, which they have doubtless made by working 

 inside, and deporting from the heap grains of sand. 

 Presently larger forms follow, carrying away bits of 

 refuse, which they drop a couple of inches more or less 

 from the gale. This is a slow process, and apparently 

 nothing is accomplished for a long time. But evidently 

 the whole mass of plugging is thus gi'adually loosened. 

 Then comes the final burst, with soldiers, majors and 

 minors in the lead, who rush out, bearing up before 

 them the rubbish, which tlies here and there, and in a 

 few moments is cleared away from the gallery and 

 spread around the margin of the gate. (Fig 02.) These 



FIG. 92. — THE GATE OPEN. 



chips are doulitless gathered together for this purpose, 

 and are among the treasured properties of the ants 

 being kept near by for such service. I easily identified 



