SOCIAL HOMES 



127 



with which she continues to stock the colony. Subse- 

 quently these include among them winged males and 

 females. 



The wood ant is singular in having preference for an 

 open-air life during the heat of the day, and is con- 

 tinually on the outside, seeking for food or employed 

 on the exterior of the dome until darkness 

 compels it to desist. It is seemingly fearless of 

 being surprised by enemies, at least during the 



FIG. 17. Saiiba or Leaf-cutting Ant carrying leaf ; from Bates. 



day, and does not construct a long covert way to its 

 nest, as if for concealment, like the yellow and brown 

 kinds. But the wood ant never fails in its precaution 

 against attack and assault of the dwelling by night, 

 and when business must be completed after dusk, it is 

 done with shut doors. The actual manner of obliterat- 

 ing the apertures is noteworthy. To the entrance of 

 the avenue which the ants desire to close, beams are 

 brought forward and deposited in the stubble ; similar 



