134 



HVMENOPTERA 



small segments (Fig. 53, B, C, h, c) forming nodes or knots, of 

 almost any shape. The articulations between these segments are 

 of the most perfect description. In many ants these parts bear 

 highly developed strididating organs, and the delicacy and perfection 



of the articulations allow the parts to be 

 moved either with or without producing 

 stridulation. In the male sex the peduncle 

 and its nodes are much less perfect, and 

 possess comparatively little capacity for 

 movement ; in the male of Dorylus (Figs. 

 79, A, and 80, /) the single node is 

 only imperfectly formed. The eyes and 

 ocelli of the males are usually more 

 largely developed than the}^ are in the 

 female, though the head is much smaller. 

 The legs of ants are elongate, except 

 in a few forms ; the Cryptocerini and 

 the males of Dorylides being the most 

 conspicuous exceptions. The tarsi are 

 live -jointed, the basal joint being dis- 

 proportionately elongate, so that in use 

 it acts in many species as if it were a 

 ponera grandis (tip of tibia, portion of the tibia, the other four ioints 



lieanng the comb-like spur, . i /. • -, r. mi % 



and the base of the first joint lormmg the functional foot. The front 

 of the tarsus ; ef. fig. 75). ^ii^i^c are furnished with a beautiful 



A, Inner, B, outer aspect. 



combing apparatus (Fig. 5*7). 

 Features of Ant-life. — In order that the reader may realise 

 the nature of ant-life we may briefly recount its more usual and 

 general features. Numerous eggs are produced in a nest by one 

 or more queens, and are taken care of by workers. These eggs 

 hatch and produce helpless maggots, of which great care is 

 taken by the workers. These nurses feed their charges from 

 their own mouths, and keep the helpless creatures in a fitting 

 state by transporting them to various chambers in conformity 

 with changes of temperature, humidity, and so on. When full 

 grown the maggots change to pupae. In some species the 

 maggots form cocoons for themselves, but in others this is not 

 the case, and the pupae are naked.^ After a brief period of 



^ The pupae and cocoons of ants are usually called by the uuinstructed, "ants' 

 eggs." In this country they are used as food for pheasants. 



Fig. 57. — Combs and Inrushes 

 on front leg of an aut, Diiio- 



