16 ANTS. 



merous series of rooms will appear in the 

 sequel. The surface of the next is covered 

 with a thicker wall, and has several doors, 

 admitting, in the day-time, free ingress and 

 egress. This species of Ant is unable to bear 

 much heat. During the day, therefore, and 

 particularly when the sun shines, their doors 

 are closed ; and they either keep at home, or 

 venture out only through the subterraneous 

 passages. When the dew has given freshness 

 to the nest, and softened the earthy materials 

 on its surface, they begin to make their ap- 

 pearance above ground. On the first shower 

 of rain that occurs, the whole swarm are ap- 

 prized of it, and immediately resume their 

 architectural labours. While some are en- 

 gaged in removing the earth below, others are 

 employed in building an additional story on 

 the top ; the masons making use of the ma- 

 terials furnished by the miners. The plan 

 of the cells and partitions is first traced in 

 relief on the walls, which are seen gradually 

 to arise, leaving empty spaces between them. 

 The beginnings of pillars indicate the situa- 

 tion of the future halls ; and the rising parti- 

 tions show the form of the intended passages 



