rcos, &c. OF ANTS. 63 
withstanding its transparency, could 
guard them from the external air, and 
that nothing was wanting to render it a 
true wall, but the power of excluding 
that glaring light, at all times so disagree- 
able to them, they preserved entire all the 
galleries contiguous to it, taking the sole 
precaution of covering it over with a 
layer of moistened earth, which efiec- 
tually hindered further observation. 
Thus disappointed, I employed a me- 
thod more simple, though more effec- 
tual:—I removed a portion of the ant- 
hill, and then placed over the remainder 
a thin flat board inclined to the south ; 
the ants, attracted by the heat brought 
their little ones to this place. By re- 
moving this outside shutter or contrevent, 
I could ascertain the progress in their 
growth, although the workers, on being 
disturbed, hastened to convey them to 
their under-ground quarters. 
I was often obliged to vary the means 
I employed ; for the ants, soon wearied 
by my visits, still baffled all my efforts, 
