34 LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 



ing to caress her with their antennae, and at 

 others standing on their hind feet, frisking about 

 her in the liveliest manner. 



If an ant hill is attacked, all the passages and 

 galleries leading to the royal chamber are im- 

 mediately filled, and it is said the faithful little 

 creatures will die under its walls, rather than 

 suffer it to be entered by an enemy. 



The workers build the houses and procure 

 the food ; while the soldiers guard the hills or 

 nests from the attacks of neighboring ants and 

 other insects. As soon as the eggs of the queen 

 are laid, the workers take them and place them 

 in rooms or cells built for their reception ; and 

 when they are hatched, feed them constantly 

 until they are able to take care of themselves. 



In that care and tenderness for their young 

 which is common to all created beings, insects 

 are by no means deficient; and although it 

 would be impossible for the ant-mother to attend 

 to the wants of her many thousand little ones, 

 her kind and faithful attendants perform this 

 duty so cheerfully and affectionately, that she 

 has no need to feel any anxiety on their ac- 

 count. 



I will relate to you an anecdote which will 



