32 PAEA. Chap. I. 



known in any other kind of ant. The apparition oi 

 these strange creatures from the cavernous depths of 

 the mine reminded me, when I first observed them, of 

 the Cyclopes of Homeric fable. They were not very 

 pugnacious, as I feared they would be, and I had no 

 difficulty in securing a few with my fingers. I never 

 saw them under any other circumstances than those 

 here related, and what their special functions may be I 

 cannot divine. 



The whole arrangement of a Formicarium, or ant- 

 colony, and all the varied activity of ant-life, are directed 

 to one main purpose : — the perpetuation and dissemi- 

 nation of the species. Most of the labour which we 

 see performed by the workers has for its end the 

 sustenance and welfare of the young brood, which are 

 helpless grubs. The true females are incapable of 

 attending to the wants of their offspring ; and it is on 

 the poor sterile workers, who are denied all the other 

 pleasures of maternity, that the entire care devolves. 

 What a wonderfully-organised community is that of the 

 ant ! The workers are also the chief agents in carry- 

 ing out the different migrations of the colonies, which 

 are of vast importance to the dispersal and consequent 

 prosperity of the species. The successful debut of the 

 winged males and females depends likewise on the 

 workers. It is amusing to see the activity and excite- 

 ment which reign in an ant's nest when the exodus of 

 the winged individuals is taking place. The workers 

 clear the roads of exit, and show the most lively interest 

 in their departure, although it is highly improbable 

 that any of them will return to the same colony. The 



