30 ON THE “ AGRICULTURAL ANT’’ OF TEXAS. 
The chaff is taken out and thrown beyond the limits of the paved 
area. 
“ During protracted wet weather, it sometimes happens that the 
provision stores become damp, and are liable to sprout and spoil. 
In this case, on the first fine day the ants bring out the damp and 
damaged grain, and expose it to the sun till it is dry, when they 
carry it back and pack away all the sound seeds, leaving those that 
had sprouted to waste. 
“Tn a peach-orchard not far from my house is a considerable 
elevation, on which is an extensive bed of rock. In the sand-beds 
overlying portions of this rock are fine cities of the Agricultural 
Ants, evidently very ancient. My observations on their manners 
and customs have been limited to the last twelve years, during 
which time the enclosure surrounding the orchard has prevented 
the approach of cattle to the ant-farms. The cities which are 
outside of the enclosure as well as those protected in it are, at the 
proper season, invariably planted with the ant-rice. The crop 
may accordingly always be seen springing up within the circle 
about the 1st of November every year. Of late years however, 
since the number of farms and cattle has greatly increased, and 
the latter are eating off the grass much closer than formerly, thus 
preventing the ripening of the seeds, I notice that the ‘ Agricul- 
tural Ant’ is placing its cities along the turn-rows in the fields, 
walks in gardens, inside about the gates, &c., where they can cul- 
tivate their farms without molestation from the cattle. 
“There can be no doubt of the fact, that the particular species of 
erain-bearing grass mentioned above is intentionally planted. In 
farmer-like manner the ground upon which it stands is carefully 
divested of all other grasses and weeds during the time it is grow- 
ing. When it is ripe the grain is taken care of, the dry stubble 
cut away and carried off, the paved area being left unencumbered 
until the ensuing autumn, when the same ‘ant-rice’ reappears 
within the same circle, and receives the same agricultural attention 
as was bestowed upon the previous crop,—and so on year after 
year, as I know to be the case, in all situations where the ants’ 
settlements are protected from graminivorous animals.” 
In a second letter, Dr. Lincecum in reply to an inquiry from 
Mr. Darwin, whether he supposed that the ants plant seeds for 
the ensuing crop, says, “I have not the slightest doubt of it. 
And my conclusions have not been arrived at from hasty or care- 
less observation, nor from seeing the ants do something that 
looked a little like it, and then guessing at the results. I have at 
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