FECUNDATION Wc. OF ANTS. 95 
ence. They are neither called upon to 
provision their abode, nor to seek, afar 
off, materials for its construction. Nature 
has endowed them with instruments of 
flight, for the well-being and continuance 
of the species, and for the purpose of 
establishing ant-hills in every situation, 
and forming numerous colonies. But 
how are these new colonies established ? 
What particulars do the amours of these 
winged ants offer us? Do the males and 
females live incommon? Have they the 
same instinct as the workers? What a 
variety of questions could we not pro- 
pose on this subject ; a subject hitherto 
but slightly touched upon, and by com- 
paratively few authors, and whose impor- 
tance, as it regards the economy of ants, 
merits the closest attention. 
Having observed these insects in the 
interior of the ant-hill, remarked their 
education, and the cares bestowed upon 
them, to the period when they are in a 
condition to walk or fly, we shall now 
