THE FOKMICW.-E. 



199 



They may be found in woods where the undcnvood is not very 

 dense, and they constitute sHghtly elevated and rounded httle 

 patches of earth at the foot of oaks for instance, but sometimes 

 they are of considerable width and length. The surface of the 

 hills is made up of a mass of little pieces of wood, bits of straw, 

 flints, grains of wheat or of oats, and of earth, and it does not 

 require much trouble to become aware that they are all arranged 

 with a purpose, although they appear to be laid about confusedly. 

 If a portion of the roof be broken down a crowd of agitated ants 

 comes to the breach, and begins to repair the mischief at once, 

 working with the most intelligent and persevering determination. 



Male. 



Worker. 



Female. 



THE RED ANT. 

 (Formica riifa.J 



A glimpse may be had of the interior of the building whilst 

 the roof is being re-constructed. Sometimes the nest descends 

 to a considerable depth, and it will be noticed that the ants 

 have had to clear out and excavate portions one after the 

 other, as the swarm increased in numbers. It appears to be 

 made up of a tangle of pieces of wood all about the same size, 

 and which appear to be piled up anyhow ; but by examining the 

 confused mass with some attention it will be noticed that the 

 morsels of wood are so arranged that they form chambers, 

 galleries, and more or less irregular tracks or runs. Moreover, 

 they are so arranged as to permit a free passage in every part of 

 the nest. In fact, the pieces of wood arc disposed after a definite 

 plan, and with much care. Those in the lowest part of the ant's 



