NATURAL HISTORY STUDIES 



It is easy to understand the crickets being content, 

 but why the ants submit to their presence is a mys- 

 tery. If they thought of it, they could soon kill 

 them off, for ants can combine and they can bite 

 or sting, but they do not think of it. Perhaps we 

 make a mistake here in using words like " guest " 

 and "host " ; perhaps the little crickets do not matter 

 much as long as they are not too numerous. Perhaps, 

 and perhaps, and perhaps. 



In quite a number of ants' nests, there are guest 

 beetles or pet beetles, which the ants take care of and 

 evidently regard with pleasure. They are often 

 fragrant and they do no harm. They may be com- 

 pared to cats in our dwellings genuine pets. 



Another remarkable case is the occurrence of the 

 caterpillars of a small moth in the nests of a New 

 Zealand white ant or termite. The caterpillars 

 depend upon the material of the nest for their food, 

 and they may be seen moving along, at regular 

 intervals as if in a procession, each escorted by a 

 few soldier and worker termites. It appears that the 

 caterpillars exude a strong odour which is attractive 

 to the termites. Just as man may have flowers 

 in a room for the sake of their perfume, so the white 

 ants have caterpillars. 



Like some true ants, so some of the white ants 

 have as guests little beetles which give off a soothing 

 fragrance, especially when they are caressed. This 

 perfume seems to please the termites, just as 

 tobacco pleases many a man. 



Besides guests who are, so to speak, favourably 

 regarded by their hosts, whether these be white 



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