180 ANTS AND CHILDREN OF THE GARDEN 



CECIL. One way is for the workers to form a ball of 

 ants around the royalty. These ants often collect in clus- 

 ters like bees. They are likely to make their raids about 

 four o'clock in the afternoon, but this depends on the 

 weather. 



DOROTHY. If most species of Ecitons carry on their 

 raids in full view often in sunlight these must have en- 

 tered the home of our ants to do the fighting. 



CECIL. The females have no wings, but these ants are 

 good travelers, and so are scattered widely. They are 

 always on the move, too have no fixed home. 



Our Ants' Yard. 



FLORENCE. Why keep your yard so nicely graded? 



ANT. Isn't it a nice place to loaf? During most of the 

 year, isn't it loose and healthful, admitting air and sun- 

 shine? Isn't it a good place to air the babies and a fine 

 place for queens to exercise at night or in the evening? 



FLORENCE. I see. 



ANT. It gives our guards a chance, too. The earth 

 pellets are from our mining camps, as you know, and we 

 use them as rollers under our heavy loads sometimes. 



CECIL. These pellets make a circular ridge around your 

 door with an inner and outer slope of about fifteen de- 

 grees. Your yard is about two feet across when completed. 

 Some kinds of ants scatter the dirt around thinly and 

 without making a circular ridge. 



ANT. Guess at some of the advantages this earth funnel 

 is to us. You know our door is at the bottom of the 

 funnel. 



CECIL. All right. Besides the uses you named, it guides 

 you to your door after you reach the crater; is a trap for 



