NATURE'S CRAFTSMEN 



shown by ants to the commune and its young. As slave 

 parents are not permitted, and servitude is not trans- 

 mitted from parents to offspring, one cannot know what 

 changes might have been wrought in course of time under 

 other conditions. 



But in one respect ant-slavery appears to have re- 

 acted upon species living near slave-makers, by devel- 

 oping greater caution and cunning in protecting their 

 homes and probably less courage in defending them. 

 In sites free from kidnapping ants the Fuscans make 

 such extensive nests that they seriously damage lawns 

 and gardens. Their architecture and demeanor show 

 that freedom from fear of sioccial perils which marks a 

 community dwelling in perfect confidence and continued 

 security. On the contrary, Fuscan colonies in the 

 vicinage of slave-makers tend to lessen or omit exterior 

 elevations. The dumpage from interior workings is 

 scattered broadcast. Gates are fewer and concealed. 



Once, watching a Sanguine army assaulting a Fuscan 

 colony, the author chanced to see, a short distance from 

 the scene, a Schaufuss worker (Forfnica schaufiissi) mov- 

 ing back and forth in a way that aroused curiosity. 

 Knowing this to be an enslaved species, he directed 

 attention upon the solitary ant. She was putting fin- 

 ishing touches upon the closure of her formicary door. 

 A tiny pebble was placed. A few pellets of soil were 

 added. Then she walked away, took a few turns as 

 though surveying the surroundings, and cautiously came 

 back. The coast was clear! Next she deftly crawled 

 into the small, open space, and, from the movements 

 inside and occasional glimpses of an antenna-tip, it was 

 seen that she was completing the work of concealment 

 from within. At last her task was done, and all was 



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