MASOX-ANTS. 237 



not proceed very methodically in their manner of building ; 

 for instead of beginning at the bottom and building 

 upwards, many of them went on to add to the top of the 

 outer surface, which increased rather than diminished the 

 security of the whole. Withal, however, they seemed to 



know how far to go, for no portion of the newly-built wall 

 fell ; and in two days they had not only reared a pyramidal 

 mound to prop the rest, but had constructed several gal- 

 leries and chambers for lodging the cocoons, which we had 

 scattered at random amongst the sand. The new portion 

 of this building is represented in the figure as supporting 

 the upper and insecure parts of the nest. 



We are sorry to record that our ingenious little masons 

 were found upon the third day strewed about the outside 

 of the building dead or dying, either from over fatigue 

 or perhaps from surfeit, as we had supplied them with 

 as much honey as they could devour. A small colony o 

 turf-ants have at this moment (July 28th, 1829) taken 

 possession of the premises of their own accord. (J. R.) 



