CHAPTER XIV 



OBSERVATIONS ON ANTS 



AS far back as one may search through the entomological 

 literature of the past, there will be found records of ant 

 behavior. Ever since man has been civilized to the degree 

 of recording events, he has realized how wonderful is the 

 highly organized social life of these insects. 



So much has been said in fact, regarding their actions, that it has 

 become difficult indeed to record anything new, and all but impossi- 

 ble to relate any of their known activities in a new enough manner 

 to be entertaining. 



It is strange, however, that no one has attempted to bring us face to 

 face with ants in their daily life, in such a way that it is unnecessary 

 to depend upon the imagination for the actual picture. Poets and 

 artists have sketched them and sung their praises, scientists have gone 

 minutely into the significance of their behavior, yet who has honestly 

 given the camera its chance? 



With this idea in view I have gathered together the material for 

 this chapter. However meagre the results, they have been dearly 

 bought by many failures and experiences that can be only realized by 

 one who has worked in the field of insect photography. 



Let us wander out for a time into the lowly world of ants, down 

 among the grass and earth, or perhaps in the heart of some aged and 

 broken tree of other days. Let us live among these creatures them- 

 selves, watch their activities and perhaps discover something new. 

 There, at the base of the old maple, where its trunk enters the 



ground, is a tiny pile of wooden pellets. Some five feet above, a car- 



109 



