CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

 INTRODUCTION. 



PAGE 



Position of ants in the Animal Kingdom— Ants divided into 

 three families— Number of species— Mode of observation- 

 Nests— Mode of marking ants— Stages in life of ants— Egg, 

 larva, pupa, imago— Length of life— Structure of ants- 

 Head, thorax, abdomen, antennse, eyes, ocelli, mouth parts, 

 legs, wings, sting— Origin of the sting— Character of ants- 

 War's among ants— Modes of fighting— Queen ants— Workers 

 —Different classes of workers— The honey ant— Soldiers- 

 Origin of the soldiers— Division of labour— Habitations of 

 ants— Communities of ants— Food— Enemies— Character— 

 Industry— Games— Cleanliness . . • • 1 



CHAPTER H. 



FORMATION AND MAINTENANCE OF NESTS. 



Foundation of new nests— Doubts on the subject— Views of 

 Huber, Blanchard, Forel, St. Fargeau, Ebrard- Experiments 

 with queens- Foundation of a nest of 3Iyrviica by two 

 queens— Adoption of queens— Fertility of workers— Eggs 

 laid by fertile workers always produce males— Queens seldom 

 produced in captivity— Origin of difference between queens 

 and workers— Longevity of ants— Arrangement of chambers 

 in a nest— Division of labour— The honey ant . • 30 



