74 



THE MUSEUM. 







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Acauthaster Solaris, M. & T. 



A very large, many armed species, the whole upper surface of which is covered with spines:- 

 almost au inch in length. An inhabitant of the Pacitie, mainly Mauritius. 



isting walls may be utilized, and still 

 leave an enclosed space for the nest. 

 The form of the nest is usually a quar- 

 ter of a sphere, and the bird begins it 

 by applying earth more or less mixed 

 with chopped hay, against the walls 

 which are to support the dwelling. A 

 hole is left at the summit for exit and 

 entry. It is an interesting fact that 

 the builder of these nests return to 

 them for many years in succeesion, as 

 long as the dwelling remains intact. 



Among ants we find numerous in- 

 stances of intelligence and great indus- 

 try. Although so far removed from 

 man by their anotomical structure, yet 

 their psychic faculties- are nearest to 

 him. They have passed through an 



evolution not unlike that which^has 

 brought man from his primitive condi- 

 tion to the proud position which he 

 now occupies. Like man, the brain 

 of ants has undergone a disproportion- 

 ate development. Like man, they 

 possess a language, which enables 

 them to communicate with each other 

 and to combine thc^r efforts. It may 

 be said with trutli that there is no hu- 

 man industry in which these insects 

 have not arrived at a high degree of 

 perfection. The Xcuroptcrous insects 

 known as ''white ants" {l\T}iiitcs) 

 build a palace which rivals a modern 

 city in its complex construction. Their 

 dwellings, if compared with those of 

 man, are colossal in size. Their nests. 



