NATURE'S CRAFTSMEN 



and well extended; the middle pairs set nearly straight 

 outward from the thorax and less extended, so that 

 the body is nearly erect. The abdomen is then turned 

 under the body and deflected upward towards the head, 

 which at the same time is bent over and downward. 

 The body of the ant thus forms a letter C, or nearly a 

 circle. Meanwhile the forefeet have clasped the abdo- 

 men, the tarsus passing quite around and beneath it, 

 and the brushing has begun. The strokes are directed 

 towards the tip of the abdomen, which is also sponged 

 off by the tongue. Occasionally the leg is rubbed over 

 the head after being drawn through the mouth, and so 

 again to the abdomen. (3ne ant was seen cleansing its 

 abdomen while hanging by the hind legs from the roof 

 of the formicarium. The abdomen was thrown up and 

 between the legs, as a gymnast on the turning-bar 

 throws his body upward between his arms. The head 

 was then reached upward, and tongue and forefeet 

 were engaged as above described. Another emmet 

 acrobat was caught in the act of cleansing its legs while 

 hanging by one foot, the under part of the body being 

 towards the observer. 



During these toilet actions the formicarium presented 

 a most interesting view, especially in the evening, when 

 the table-lamps were lit and the ants had been fed, and 

 a general "washing-up" was in progress. But one of 

 the most interesting features was the part which the 

 insects took in cleansing or "shampooing" one another. 

 This was a new and pleasing revelation in life habit. 

 It was unexpected, but after-experience showed that 

 nature has taught these little creatures the value of co- 

 operation in such matters among fellow-communists. 



60 



