3f]8 AFFECTION OF INSECTS FOR TlIElJl YOUNG, 



Nothing' can be more curious than the view of the 

 interior of a fully peopled ant's nest in summer. Iii 

 one part are stored the eggs ; in another the pupse are 

 heaped up by hundreds in spacious apartments : and 

 in a third we see the larvae surrounded by the workers, 

 some of which feed them, while others keep guard, 

 standing erect upon their hind legs with their abdomen 

 elevated in the position for ejaculating their acid, than 

 which, gunpowder would not be more formidable to 

 the majority of their foes. Some again are occupied in 

 cleaning the alleys from obstructions of various kinds; 

 and others rest in perfect repose recruiting their 

 strength for new labours. 



Contrary to what is observed amongst other insects, 

 even the extrication of the young ants from the silken co- 

 coon which incloses them is imposed upon the workers, 

 who are taught by some sensation to us incomprehen- 

 sible, that the perfect insect is now ready to burst from 

 the shroud, but too weak to effect its purpose unaided. 

 When the workers discover that this period has ar- 

 rived, a great bustle prevails in their apartment. 

 Three or four mount upon one cocoon, and with their 

 mandibles begin to open it where the head lies. First 

 they pull off a few threads to render the place thinner ; 

 they then make several small openings, and with great 

 patience cut the threads which separate them one by 

 one, till an orifice is formed sufiiciently large for ex- 

 tracting the prisoner ; which operation they perform 

 with the utmost gentleness. The ant is still enveloped 

 in its pellicle : this the workers also pull off, carefully 

 disengaging every member from its case, and nicely 

 expanding the wings of such as are furnished with 



