on Indian ants. 359 



covered with nests, which are very populous. I noticed 

 that the various nests on any one tree appeared to form 

 one colony, and to live on friendly terms, whereas the 

 ants on a neighbouring tree would be inimical ; this I 

 proved by keeping a nest in my verandah for several 

 weeks at a time, and trying a few simple experiments. I 

 found that ants brought from any nest from the same 

 tree as my captive nest were immediately recognised as 

 friends, and received with evident signs of satisfaction ; 

 but specimens brought from nests from any other tree 

 were immediately attacked, and unless rescued were 

 killed in the most savage manner. The longest test was 

 only three or four weeks, for by that time my captive 

 ants always began to show signs of failing health, so 

 that I never had the heart to keep them shut up for a 

 longer period. I tried to keep them healthy by a daily 

 supply of fresh leaves, and fed them with sugar, plan- 

 tains, and other fruits ; but they took most kindly to 

 green Geometra larvae taken from newly-made nests of 

 Eumenes conica, which were generally handy in the 

 verandah, but either captivity did not agree with them, 

 or I failed in my mode of treatment, for after the third 

 week my captives invariably became more or less 

 feeble and sickly. The following are extracts from my 

 diary : — 



May 6th. Brought home with me (with considerable 

 difficulty) a fine strong nest of (Ecophylla smaragdina, 

 and arranged a comfortable home for it in a large open 

 box in my verandah, isolating it by standing the box on 

 a tin pot resting on a large brick, the brick standing in 

 a large earthenware saucer of water. 



May 24th. Introduced four ants taken from another 

 nest, but from the same tree ; these were at once 

 received with marked signs of pleasure, were caressed, 

 and entered the nest with their friends as if perfectly 

 at home. 



May 27th. Introduced ten specimens taken from a 

 different tree : these at once showed signs of alarm, and 

 endeavoured to escape ; but most of them were seized, 

 and would have been pulled to pieces had I not rescued 

 them. 



June 3rd. Introduced some more strangers, who 

 showed alarm and immediately made oft" till stopped by 

 the water ; the captive smaragdina, though showing 



