PTONEY ANTS 



It had been assumed that the function of the ro- 

 tunds was that of a store-room, a provision against a 

 time of need for the family dependants. But the natu- 

 ralist, while knowing the value of analogy and of cir- 

 cumstantial evidence, must seek " the sensible and true 

 avouch of [his] own eyes." This was not easily had, al- 

 though observations continued for more than four 

 months on artificial nests taken from Colorado to the 

 author's home. However, some progress was made. 



It was proved that foraging workers, to which caste 

 the rotunds belong, when returning as "repletes," were 

 tolled by the sentinels and watchers. There was no 

 such general levy of octoroi as seen at the gate of the 

 mound -making ants, but enough to show that the 

 habit was well fixed. From a gall-covered branch oc- 

 cupied by foragers a minim was laid upon her nest. 

 She was much flustered, and failed at first to recognize 

 that an unknown power, like the jinn of Eastern story, 

 had borne her through the air to her owti door. The 

 watchers also showed surprise at so unorthodox an ad- 

 vent. But appetite quickly silenced speculation, and 

 two dwarfs and a minor arrested the new-comer, and 

 took toll from her mouth of the syrup with which her 

 crop was charged. A worker-major put upon the mound 

 was similarly treated. 



That the workers are fond of the honey which the 

 rotunds carry was seen while excavating a nest. Some 

 of the tense abdomens were accidentally ruptured. The 

 excitement that racked the formicary, the martial ire 

 and fervor to assail a foe, the instinct to save larvae, 

 pupae, and other dependants, were suspended in the 

 presence of this tempting delicacy, and amid the ruins 

 of their home the workei-s clustered around their un- 



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