200 TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. 



nest are stuck into the ground, and are so piled up one upon the 

 other as to prevent the effects of a sudden and violent shock ; 

 above all this the tiny beams are laid in stages, one over the 

 other, and in some parts of the nest the intervals between them are 

 JiUcd up with such substances as earth, grains, and dried leaves. 

 It is the presence of these grains — which are used by ants as 

 materials with which to construct their nests — that has given rise 

 to the idea that these insects collect provisions for the rainy day. 

 But ants do not eat wheat or grains of any kind ; their nourishment 

 consists of more or less fluid or soft substances, and these supposed 

 wise and economical creatures do not store up, but live from day 

 to day from hand to mouth, and, like most insects, become stupid 

 and hybernate when winter arrives. 



If a nest of red ants is examined at different times during 

 the day, a constant succession of alterations will be seen to be 

 going on. Very early in the morning everything seems quiet about 

 the nest, and there are no openings visible, but there, are some 

 small cracks which might allow the ants to get out by undergoing 

 a tight squeeze. Then a few of the insects begin to show them- 

 selves, and run over the dome of the nest, and they appear to be 

 just awake ; gradually they increase in numbers, and then some 

 of them are noticed carrying and bringing little bits of stick, 

 whilst others are clearing out and sweeping the passages to the 

 nest. Should it happen to be fine weather, many large openings, 

 which communicate Avith the principal galleries, are soon made 

 outside the nest, and then the whole population becomes actively 

 engaged, and each individual appears to have something to do. 

 When the evening comes, the insects shut up the nest, and close 

 the passages, and do everything to enable themselves to pass a 

 quiet night after their labours, by rendering their house secure 

 against violence and invasion. Should heav>' rain come on during 

 the daytime, the ants, fearing that water might get inside their 

 nest, hasten to close its openings, and every member of the 

 swarm appears to be impressed with the necessity of doing its 

 best, and all sorts of materials are brought at once to shut the 

 water out, and to place the erection in safety. 



Pierre Hubcr was the first naturalist who made a careful 

 study of these proceedings, which seem to be produced by 



