72 EGGS, &C. OF ANTS. 
certain degree of suppleness, and the 
faculty of extension, according to the 
developement of the worm they enclose. 
At the end of fifteen days, the little 
worm is seen to quit the shell: its 
body is then perfectly transparent, and 
presents only a head and rings, without 
any rudiment of feet or antenne. ‘The 
insect, at this period, is completely de- 
dependant upon the workers. 
Ihave been enabled to observe, through 
the glasses of my artificial ant-hill, the 
great care taken of these little worms, 
which bear also the name of Larva. They 
were generally guarded by a body of ants, 
who, raised upon their feet, with their ab- 
domen brought between these members, 
were prepared to cast their venom upon 
all intruders, whilst, here and there, other 
workers were engaged in clearing the pas- 
sages, by removing the materials which 
were outof place; a great number of their 
companions taking at the same time their 
repose, and appearing to be fast asleep: 
but a busy scene occurred at the moment 
