CH. VII.] ANTS. 121 



tiny frame from the loss of these members, as in 

 ours from the amputation of all our limbs ; but in- 

 sects in general do not appear to be sensible of 

 much pain. A wasp will walk about and even eat 

 after its body has been cut into two, and a dragon 

 fly will voraciously devour its prey after the removal 

 of its abdomen. 



Having cast off her wings, the fecundated female 

 begins to prepare a habitation for herself. In some 

 cases, however, the workers do not allow all the 

 females to quit the old nest ; but detaining some of 

 those which have been impregnated, clip their wings 

 and keep them close prisoners so long, that at last 

 they become reconciled to their fate, and prepare to 

 lay eggs. As if still afraid that the impregnated 

 female should depart, a single ant is appointed to 

 watch her motions and supply her wants ; no Argus 

 appears to be more vigilant : it mounts on her ab- 

 domen, resting its two posterior legs on the ground: 

 these sentinels are constantly relieved. As soon as 

 an egg is deposited, the female becomes the object 

 of the tender care of the neuters, and as a mother 

 she receives those attentions which she would in 

 vain have solicited as a virgin. A court, composed 

 of from ten to fifteen individuals, says Huber, con- 

 tinually follows her; she is unceasingly the object 

 of their care and caresses ; all are eager to collect 

 around her, offer her nourishment, and assist her 

 with their mandibles in making her way through 

 difficult and ascending passages ; they also lead her 

 through all the different quarters of the ant-hill. 

 The eggs taken up by the labourers at the instant 

 of their being laid, are collected around her. When 

 she seeks repose, a group of ants environ her ; se- 

 veral females live in the same nest, and show no 

 rivalry ; each has her court, they pass each other 

 uninjured, and sustain in common the population 

 of the ant-hill ; but they possess no power, which 

 it would seem is lodged exclusively with the neuters. 

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