in.] SLAVERY AMONG ANTS. 77 



there is some division of functions between the two 

 species, but we have as yet no distinct knowledge on 

 this point ; and at any rate the F. sanguineas can " do " 

 for themselves, and carry on a nest, if necessary, without 

 slaves. 



In another species, however, Polyergus rufescens, 

 (which is not British), this is not the case. They present 

 a striking lesson of the degrading tendency of slavery, 

 for they have become entirely dependent on their 

 slaves. Even their bodily structure has undergone a 

 change : their mandibles have lost their teeth, and have 

 become mere nippers, deadly weapons indeed, but useless 

 except in war. They have lost the greater part of their 

 instincts : their art, that is, the power of building ; their 

 domestic habits, for they take no care of their own 

 young, all this being done by the slaves ; their industry 

 they take no part in providing the daily supplies ; if 

 the colony changes the situation of its nest, the masters 

 are all carried by the slaves to the new one ; nay, they 

 have even lost the habit of feeding. Huber placed 

 thirty of them with some larvae and pupae and a supp]y 

 of honey in a box. 



" At first," he says, "they appeared to pay some little attention to 

 the larvae ; they carried them here and there, but presently replaced 

 them. More than one half of the Amazons died of hunger in less 

 than two days. They had not even traced out a dwelling, and the 

 few ants still in existence were languid and without strength. I 

 commiserated their condition, and gave them one of their black 

 companions. This individual, unassisted, established order, formed 

 a chamber in the earth, gathered together the larvae, extricated 

 several young ants that were ready to quit the condition of pupae, and 

 preserved the life of the remaining Amazons." l 



1 Huber, Natural History of Ants. 



