ANT QUEENS 



three pairs of legs; the abdomen was thrown downward 

 and forward between them, and the head bent back and 

 beneath almost to meet it. The egg was then about half 

 protruded. Considerable muscular action was visible 

 throughout the abdomen, and when presently the egg 

 was posited the ant straightened herself out with a visible 

 air of relief. She forgot all about the egg, which was 

 left for several minutes while she attended to other mat- 

 ters. At last, accidentally touching it with one antenna, 

 she picked it up and carried it to the family quarters, 

 where the worker found it and placed it in the group of 

 the older eggs. An evident intent at classifying the 

 eggs and larvae was remarked, these having been kept 

 separate, as far as the narrow limits would permit. This 

 separation of the various stages of larval growth may be 

 regarded as a common trait of all emmet species. 



On August 13th, another worker was released from 

 its cocoon. The female appeared to assist in the de- 

 livery, as she was seen standing over the neophyte, who 

 seemed to be weak, its femora bent forward, the tarsi 

 and tibiae still nearly reaching the end of the abdomen, 

 indicating the manner in which the legs were folded in 

 the cocoon. Immediately after release the mother gave 

 the young imago nourishment. 



At this date there were in the formicary, beside the 

 mature ants, two full-grown larvae, very fat; two half- 

 grown, and several smaller ones, with the eggs in differ- 

 ent stages of development. The two oldest were then 

 evidently about ready to spin into pupae. 



August 14th, one of the two full-grown larvae was 

 partly overspun, but so thinly that its motion was 

 readily seen through the case. The other larva seemed 

 quiescent, but examination with the lens showed muscu- 



37 



