1906. Wheeler, Founding of Colonies by Queen Ants. 105 



larvae, nesting in the deserted pupa case of a longicom beetle 



(Rhagium lineatunt) under pine bark. Slightly enlarged. 

 Fig. 2. — Incipient nest crater formed immediately after the nuptial flight by 



a queen of the California harvester (Pogonomyrmex californicus). 



Moiave Desert, near Needles, California. Nearly ^ natural size 

 Fig. 3. — Nest of young colony of Lasius niger var. americanus under stone, 



presumably in its second year, showing the original fjueen chamber 



after its extension by the workers. Colebrook, Connecticut. 



I natural size. 



PLATE IX. 



Fig. I. — Nest of Formica rufa integra in a huge pine stump, showing vegetable 

 debris accumulated by the workers in the crevices of the bark and 

 around the roots. Colebrook, Conn. 



Fig. 2. — Nest of same species in a large pine log, showing accumulation of 

 debris stopping up the hollow end. Colebrook, Conn. 



PLATE X. 



Fig. I. — Nest of Formica rufa integra under and between a pile of stones lying 

 on a large boulder. In this case the workers had carried the 

 debris to a height of nearly six feet above the ground and packed 

 it in between the stones. Colebrook, Conn. 



Fig. 2. — Superficial nest chambers of Form.ica difficilis var. consocians under a 

 stone. \ natural size. At a and c two Microdon larvae are seen, 

 at e and n two puparia of the same insect. The imago has left 

 the puparium at e. Colebrook Conn. 



PLATE XI. 



Fig. I — Nest of Formica schaufussi var. incerta under the edge of a stone. 



The nest entrance is at x. About \ natural size. Colebrook, 



Conn. 

 Fig. 2. — Surface galleries of a nest of the same ant under a stone, x, entrance 



to nest, V. opening of one of the galleries into the large surface 



chamber About \ natural size. Colebrook, Conn. 



PLATE XII. 



Fig I. — Young nest of Formica exsectoides, hardly a foot in diameter and 

 still covered with long grass. Colebrook, Conn. 



Fig. 2.- — Larger nest from the same locality, showing straws on the dome- 

 shaped summit and small openings about the base. 



PLATE XIII. 



Fig. I. — Nest of Formica exsectoides. Staten Island. 



Fig. 2. — Nest of same species from the same locality, showing zone of green 

 grass around the base and covering the entrance 



PLATE XIV. 



Fig. I. — Formica exsectoides mound shot through with the stems of plants 

 that have been killed by the ants. Staten Island. 



Fig. 2. — Large mound nest of Form-ica exsectoides, showing the numerous en- 

 trances around the base, Colebrook, Conn. 



