338 INSECTS AT HOME. 



we could look into the nest. It was really a wonderful 

 sight. 



The ant-hill was honeycombed into passages and cells, in 

 all of which the inhabitants were hurriedly running about, 

 being alarmed at the unwonted admission of light into their 

 dwellings. In some of the chambers the pupse were treasured, 

 and these chambers were continually entered by Ants, which 

 picked up the helpless pupse and carried them to other parts of 

 the nest where the unwelcome light had not shown itself. 

 Unfortunately, this view lasted only a short time. Owing to 

 the partial decomposition of the vegetable substances of 

 which the Ants' nest is made, the interior is always hot and 

 always moist. Now, the day on which we visited the nest 

 happened to be a cold one, and, in consequence, the moisture 

 of the nest was rapidly condensed on the inner surface of the 

 glass, and in a few minutes completely hid the nest from view, 

 leaving me only time to make a rapid sketch. Unfortunately 

 some one discovered the plate of glass and stole it. Next time 

 that I examine a Wood Ants' nest I shall take care to insert 

 the glass exactly east and west, and shall open its southern side 

 towards noon on a hot, sunshiny day, so that the rays of the 

 sun rn-Ay waim the glass and prevent evaporation. 



At the bottom of Plate XL part of this nest is shown, with 

 the Ants running to and fro and carrying off the white pupse 

 which are lying in the passages. On the left hand, near the 

 bottom, may be seen that curious little beetle, Quedius 

 brevis, which has so strange a habit of living in the nests of 

 this Ant. This beetle has been described on page 75. No less 

 than twenty species of beetles have been found by Dr. Power 

 inhabitino- the nest of this Ant. When the nest is disturbed a 

 very pungent vapour arises, not unlike that of strong vinegar, 

 and grievously affects both the eyes and nostrils. This is 

 caused by the formic acid, which is secreted by Ants in great 

 quantities. Indeed, it is so plentiful that in some parts of the 

 world ' ant-vinegar ' is made by steeping Ants in boiling water 

 and extracting the formic acid from them. 



Mention has been made of the pupse of the Ant. These are 

 the little, oval, white bodies that are popularly called ' ants' 

 eggs,"' The transformations of the Ant tribe are very simple. 

 The larva is fed by the nurses until it is full-grown, when i\ 



