HYMENOPTERA. 235 



The name of eggs is vulgarly applied to the larvae and nymphs ; 

 tnoseot thei*. rufa are eaten by young Pheasants. The neuters 

 prevent the individuals with newly acquired wings from issuing forth 

 until the proper moment has arrived, which is always determined by 

 the heat of the atmosphere. They then open a passage for them and 

 let them go. 



Most ant-hills are wholy composed of individuals of the same spe- 

 cies. Nature, however, has deviated from this plan with respect to 

 tJie i*. roussatre or Amazon-ant, and that which I have called the 

 sangmnea. Their neuters, by open violence, procure auxiliaries of 

 then- own caste but of different species, which I have designated by 

 the names of noir-cendree and mineuse. When the heat of the day 

 begins to lessen, and exactly at the same hour, at least for several 

 days, tiie Amaxons or Legionnaires quit their nest, advance in a solid 

 coJumn, more or less numerous or according to the extent of the po- 

 pulation, and march upon the Ant-hill they wish to attack. They 

 soon penetrate into it notwithstanding the opposition of the inhabi- 

 tants seize the larvae and nymphs of the neuters peculiar to the in- 

 vaded community, and transport them in the same warlike order to 

 their own domicil, where they are attended to in common with the 

 posterity of their conquerors, by other neuters of their own species 

 in a perfect state, that have either been metamorphosed there, or torn 

 fi-om their original dwelling. Such is the composition of the Mixed 

 Mit-iaus i!ov these curious observations, which I have verified, Ave 

 are indebted to M. Huber, Jun., who is so gloriously pursuing the 

 career of his father. ° 



^ It is well known that the Ant is extravagantly fond of a saccha- 

 nne liquid that exudes from the bodies of the Aphides and Gallin- 

 secta. 1^ our or five species convey both these Aphides and their 

 eggs, particularly m bad weather, to the bottom of their nests, and 

 even hght for the right of possession. Some construct little galleries 

 ot ear h, leading from the Ant-hill, which extend throughout the 

 entire length of trees to the very branches tliat are loaded with these 

 insects. _ These interesting facts have also been observed by the na- 

 turalist just referred to *. i <^ 



i^.ffV'^''^^^ ^"t ^^""^^'^ P^'^'^ ^^'^^^^'^^ ^^'^ close of autumn, or on 

 the first approach of winter. The labourers pass the winter in their 

 hill in a torpid state, and their so highly vaunted foresight in this 



iX hir '*^^f^" '^^"l '^'^' "^ augmenting and con^solidating 

 then habitation by all sorts of means, for provisions would be useles! 

 at a period when they are incapacitated from usin g them (g). 

 * See hi s Rechercbes sur le s Fourmis Indigenes. 



/to^ni"^ h""^ ^^V^'t '■easo"!"^ '-iPPly to those that dwell in the interior of trees, 

 tbit troSrr ^^^;^^*'°"^/° I't '■"^^"■^ *^'^ consolidation, or to those thatTnl 

 bnbit tropical countries, where hibernation is out of the question, but where at 



JimThe""' '""'l "w/"'^' *" '^ ''''^'''^ *° *^^'^- ^^"'l'^ f- -eeks in succes. 

 s.on, by heavy rains ? What is to become of the larvae during this period of occlu- 

 s.o„, If the nurses which feed them are themselves destitute of^ nourishment ^ 

 \ anous Rodentia, that are known to pass the .viuter in a state of lethargy, lay Jy 

 S b3.7;r ^f ^^'^^y f-'J «-^ly - the spring, or in the event of a^ or Sous 

 disturbance of their slumbers, and it is a fact worthy of notice, that the Ant, where! 



R 2 



