26 ARCHITECTURE OF ANTS. 
the bottom of its abode, which I have often 
witnessed in open day. This little mass 
of earth, being composed of particles but 
just united, could be readily moulded as 
the ants wished: thus, when they had 
applied it to the spot where it was to rest, 
they divided, and pressed against it with 
their teeth, so as to fill up the little in- 
equalities of their wall. The antenne 
followed all their movements, passing 
over each particle of earth as soon as it 
was placed in its proper position. ‘The 
whole was then rendered more compact, 
by pressing it lightly with the fore-feet. 
This work went on remarkably quick. 
After having traced out the plan of their 
masonry, in laying here and there found. 
ations for the pillars and the partitions 
they were about to erect, they gave them 
more relief'by adding fresh materials. It 
often happened that two little walls, which 
were to form a gallery, were raised oppo- 
site, and at a slight distance from each 
other. When they had attained the height 
of four or five lines, the ants busied them- 
