NATURE'S CRAFTSMEN 



ner in ants of any species in passing from the interior 

 of their nests into the brightest sunshine. 



Moreover the nest was located twenty-four feet above 

 the ground, and all food antl drink had to be brought 

 thereto through the mill. This elevation and resulting 

 vertical transportation are characteristic in forest nests, 

 many of which are placed at far greater heights. That 

 ants are ardently fond of water one may readily satisfy 

 himself by experiment; but no way of approach to the 

 mill-race was discovered except down the foundation 

 logs, and no regular lines of travel to and from the 

 stream were observed. And in this case, access to the 

 natural supply of drink from rains and dews, was pre- 

 vented by the interior location. 



Their elastic organism and temperament the Cam- 

 ponotidse share with insects of like habit; and in their 

 general behavior while foraging, ranging, and skirmish- 

 ing they resemble substantially their fellows heretofore 

 described^ 



According to Professor W. M. Wheeler, the subspecies 

 Camponotus Pennsylvanicus not only occurs from the 

 Atlantic to the Pacific, and from British America to 

 Texas (where the author has observed it), but extends 

 over into eastern Asia, where it appears under three 

 varietal forms in Japan, Burma, and eastern Siberia. 

 In all this wide distribution it retains, as far as known, 

 the same habits. 



One point of especial interest remains to be noticed. 

 In what rank must we place carpenter ants as insects 

 injurious to man? Evidently such operations as above 

 detailed cannot be carried on in the heart of a tree or 

 log without damage thereto. The extent of damage, 

 present and possible, cannot well be determined without 



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