- BY THE AUTHOR. Xix 
the plan I considered the best adapted to 
elucidate the subject. I therefore com- 
mence, by giving an account of the art 
with which Ants construct their habi- 
tation. 
These insects inhabit, for the most part, 
the bottom of their subterranean resi- 
dence ; hence there was a necessity of my 
being provided with an apparatus that 
would enable me to follow them in their 
domestic occupations. After describing 
the one I employed, I mention the great 
care which these little creatures take of 
the eggs, larvee, and pupe of their nu- 
merous family. 
I devote an entire chapter to the his- 
tory of the females; I describe their 
amours, and state the manner in which 
new colonies are established, and 
ancient ones preserved. Passing from 
the relation of Labourers with the winged 
individuals, to that of the Labourers 
among themselves, 1 accompany them in 
their migrations and excursions, notice 
their individual conduct, and then de- 
