THE AGRICULTURAL ANT. 



449 





Pio. 220. — Myrmica barbata. Male. 

 (Yellowish brown.) 



raises the mound to a height of fifteen or twenty inches, and in 

 any case gives the surface a slight slope from the centre to the 

 circumference. Around this 

 mound the Ant clears the 

 earth from stones and weeds, 

 so as to make a perfectly 

 smooth belt of a foot or two 

 in breadth. 



Within this space the 

 Ants plant the seeds of a 

 peculiar grass, and tend 

 them as carefully as any 

 human agriculturist could 

 do, cutting down every weed 

 that may make its appear- 

 ance, and watching it until 

 the seed is matured. When 

 ripe, the grain is small, 



white, and very hard. The Ants then cut it down, and carry 

 it into the subterranean galleries, where it is separated from 

 the husks, which are thrown outside till cultivated anew. 

 Sometimes when the rainy season has been more than usually 



long, the grain becomes 

 damp, and in that case the 

 Ants take advantage of the 

 first fine day, carry the seed 

 into the open air, and spread 

 it to dry in the sunbeams. 

 When dry it is taken back 

 to the granaries ; but those 

 seeds which have sprouted 

 are rejected, and thrown 

 away among the husks. 



Dr. Lincecum watched 

 these Ants for more than 

 twelve years, and never saw 

 them plant any seed except 

 that which has been men- 

 tioned. He also records another curious instance of instinct, 

 or, perhaps, of reason. At first the nests were made freely 



G G 



Fio. 230. — Myrmica barbata. Feume. 

 (Yellowish brown.) 



