62 EGGS, &c. OF ANTS. 
easy of accomplishment as it at first ap- 
peared. | 
These insects, although possessing so 
little timidity, and regardless, as it con- 
cerns themselves, of the several changes 
in the weather, evince the greatest con- 
cern for their little ones. For beings, so 
delicately formed, they dread the slight- 
est variations of the atmosphere, are 
alarmed at the least danger which threat- 
ens them, and seem particularly anxious 
to withdraw them from our notice. 
I was in my first attempts continually 
disappointed, from the great repugnance 
they manifested in allowing the light to 
penetrate their abode: whenever I at- 
tempted to glaze their apartments, or to 
lay open to view any of their halls or pas- 
sages, if they did not completely abandon 
them, they at least prevented me from 
following them in their in-door labours. 
At one time they would darken, by a 
heap of different materials, all the halls 
which admitted the light; at another 
time, as if conscious that the glass, not- 
