382 



THE INSECT WORLD. 



The group of Mason Ants contains a great number of varieties 

 the Ashy-black Ant {Formica nigra, Fig. 363), the Brown, the Yellov 

 {Formica flav a), the Blood-red, the Russety {Polyergus rufesccns), th( 

 Black, the Miner {Formica cunicidaria), the Turf Ant, &c. All thes( 

 species employ a mortar, more or less fine, in raising their hillocks, a 



Fig 363 — Ashy-black Ant {Formica nigra). Male, female, and worker. 



the same time that they hollow out their underground dwellings. Th 

 Jet Ant {Formica fuligirwsa) excavates wood, hollowing out its lab} 

 rinth in the trunk of a tree with consummate skill. The Red Ar 

 {Myrmica rubra) plies, according to circumstances, the trade of 

 mason or excavator. 



The masons work when they can profit by the rain or by th 



Fig. 364. — Ashy Ant. Male, worker, and female 



evening dew, to make their mortar. They only go out after sunse 

 or when a fine rain has wetted their roof. Then they set to worl 

 They roll up pellets of earth, bring them back in their mandibles, an 

 stick them on to those places where the building was left unfinishe< 

 From all sides the earth-workers may be seen arriving, laden wil 

 materials. All these are bustling, hurrying, busy, but always in tl 

 greatest order, and with a perfect understanding among themselve 

 Every part of the building is going on at the same time. The apai 

 ments spring up one above another, and the edifice visibly rises. Tl 

 rain, the sun, and the wind consolidate and harden the buildins; i 



