32 LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 



and narrow entries, after which the whole was 

 skilfully covered with a sloping roof. 



The form and size of these dwellings differ 

 with different kinds of ants. The nests of the 

 wood ants are very large and strongly built, 

 containing many separate stories, some very 

 deep in the ground, and others a considerable 

 height above it ; the lower, intended to receive 

 the young in cold weather and at night, and the 

 upper, for their use in the day-time. 



I have frequently seen the nests of a species 

 of wood ant in the pine woods in the southern 

 part of New Jersey, which were from two to 

 three feet in height. The ants themselves were 

 nearly a quarter of an inch in length. 



It is believed that some kinds of ants work 

 both day and night, requiring no rest but that 

 which they get through the winter ; but the 

 wood ants and some others retire in the evening 

 to their inner rooms, and close the hole in the 

 top of the nest; always, however, leaving two 

 or three of their number to stand without as 

 guard. 



Every family of ants is composed of a King 

 and Queen, the soldiers, and the workers ; so 



