r-IODES OF EMERGING FROM PUP^. 329 



occupied in disengaging the winged individual from 

 its envelope ; they took repose and relieved each 

 other by turns, evincing great eagerness in seconding 

 their companions in the task. To expedite the work, 

 some raised up a little slip cut out in the length of 

 the cocoon, whilst others drew the insect gently from 

 its imprisonment. When the ant was extricated from 

 its enveloping membrane, it was not, like other in- 

 sects, capable of enjoying its freedom and taking 

 flight ; it could neither fly, nor walk, nor, without 

 difficulty, stand ; for the body was still confined by 

 another membrane, from which it could not by its 

 own exertions disengage itself. 



^ In this fresh embarrassment, the labourer-ants 

 did not forsake it : they removed the satin-like pel- 

 licle which embraced every part of the body, drew 

 the antennae gently from their investment, then dis- 

 engaged the ieet and the wings, and lastly the body, 

 with the abdomen ana its peduncle. The insect v.^a^ 

 now in a condition to walk and receive nourishment, 

 for which it appeared there was u -gent need. Th.3 

 first attention, therefore, paid it by the guardians was 

 that of giving it the food T had placed within their 

 reach. 



' The ants in every pait of the ant-hill were occu- 

 pied in giving liberty to the males, females, and 

 young labourer-ants, which were still enveloped. On 

 being disencumbered of their coverings, the rem- 

 nants were collected and placed aside in one of the 

 most distant lodges of thei. habitation; for these in- 

 sects observe the greatest order and regularity. 

 Some species of ants remove these shreds to a dis- 

 tance from the ant-hill, others cover the exterior sur- 

 face of their nest with them, or collect them in partic- 

 ular apartments.''* 



A very interesting experiment upon this subject 

 was tried by Dr J. R. Johnson, of Bristol. * Among 



* Huber on Ants, p. St 



VOL. VI. 



9J 



