ASSISTANT-ANTS. 291 



opening. For this purpose these guardians cut 

 out a portion in the longitudinal direction of the 

 cocoon, with their teeth alone, employing these 

 instruments as we are in the habit of employing 

 a pair of scissors. To expedite the work some 

 raised up a little slip cut out in the length of the 

 cocoon, whilst others drew the insect gently from its 

 imprisonment. When the ant was extricated from 

 its enveloping membrane, it was not, like other 

 insects, capable of enjoying its freedom, and 

 taking flight; it could neither fly, nor walk, nor 

 without difficulty stand, for the body was still 

 confined by another membrane, from which it could 

 not by its own exertions disengage itself. 



" In this fresh embarrassment the labourer-ants 

 did not forsake it : they removed the satin-like 

 pellicle which embraced every part of the body, 

 drew the antennae gently from their invest- 

 ment ; then disengaged the feet and the wings, 

 and lastly, the body, with the abdomen and its 

 peduncle. The insect was now in a condition to 

 walk, and receive nourishment, for which it ap- 

 peared there was urgent need ; the first attention, 

 therefore, paid it by the guardians was that of 

 giving it the food I had placed within their reach." 



