168 Like stories of Australian insects. 



others. It appeared as if the workers had certain 

 winged charges, for we observed for hours a num- 

 ber of the workers, and they always avoided certain 

 winged ants, but went to their own special ones 

 to feed them. But further observations need to 

 be made, because there may be other reasons why 

 certain individuals might be chosen. 



A few days after this, a winged ant died, and a 

 day later two workers and one winged ant emerged. 

 I. observed a winged ant take hold of a pupa, and 

 tear one end open ; it held on to the case, though 

 I tried with a small stick to drive it away. It 

 was then joined by another winged ant, which 

 seemed to "talk" to it, and they both proceeded to rip 

 open the case. One of these then left, while the 

 remaining ant still held the case. 



And now the ant in the case began to emerge. In 

 50 minutes from the first tearing open of the case, 

 the head of the emerging ant appeared. The atten- 

 dant ant appeared to be washing the face of the 

 emerging one. It then ripped open the case further, 

 after first having gone for another ant to aid it, by 

 holding the case firm. Then slowly, one by one, 

 the legs were drawn out, and the attendant 

 ant appeared to wash each part as it was ex- 

 posed. The emerging ant semed to give no 

 assistance in this washing, and very little in emerg- 

 ing. At last it was pulled or helped out, and its 

 wings looked like two lumps of jelly. 



Now it began to work. It moved its jaws, and 

 worked its limbs up and down, and in and out. At 

 the same time one attendant ant worked at its wings. 



