280 RELATION OF ANTS 
bottom of the nest. In the summer, we 
more frequently find them at the foot of 
the plant, contiguous to the ant-hill, 
where the plants suffer less from drought 
than when growing upon the very nest ; 
but this is nearly the same as if they were 
enclosed with the ants, since their habi- 
tation extends more within the earth than 
without. 
Four or five species of ants keep puce- 
rons in their abode; but less constantly, 
and in much smaller number, than the 
Yellow Ants, as they obtain a portion of 
their subsistence from those inhabiting 
trees. ‘There are some, who reach the 
branches, loaded with these insects, under 
a covered way of earth, leading directly 
from their nest. Here the ants are as 
well furnished with food as if they kept 
the pucerons in their own dwelling ; and 
as often as they wish to bring these insects 
to their nest, they can accomplish it with- 
out the knowledge of other ants, and 
without incurring any risk. The Red, 
the Brown, the Turf Ant, and another 
