50 ROMANCE OF THE INSECT WORLD CHAP. 



seized, because they would never become domesti- 

 cated in a strange home; it is their larvae and 

 pupae that are taken. When the captives reach 

 maturity, they appear to make no attempt at insubor- 

 dination or escape, but at once assume the duties for 

 which they were enlisted. These warlike ants belong 

 to the genus Polyergus. They are a striking instance 

 of the degrading effects of slavery, for they are not 

 only dependent as regards the care of their young, 

 they have lost almost every instinct and power that 

 they ever possessed, and, as a rule, all building opera- 

 tions and all foraging for food likewise devolve on the 

 slaves. The masters will not even " do " for themselves, 

 they are waited on, fed, and cleansed by their willing 

 serfs. In the event of change of the domicile, the ser- 

 vants remove their masters along with the young to the 

 new abode. But the Polyerges continue to be war- 

 riors, and remain capable of capturing fresh bondsmen. 

 In other species of ants the distinction of the relative 

 position of the masters and servitors is considerably 

 relaxed. The latter are merely introduced into the 

 nest of their captors to assist in the various depart- 

 ments of labour ; all alike mingle freely together and 

 share in the common work of the colony. In one 

 species of ant, F. sanguined, this slave-making pro- 

 pensity has been observed in active exercise in 

 England. 



Social bees, as is well known, lay in provision in 

 the cells of the comb that they fashion within 

 their nest. It serves for themselves and their 

 young for a rainy day and for winter need. The 

 provident habit is usually denied to the wasps and 



