THE COTTON ROOT-LOUSE 137 



invitation and the ants seize them in their strong 

 jaws and carry them to their homes. This is what 

 Jack Terrell saw, and it led him to the conclusion 

 that the ants ate the aphids. In the underground 

 homes of the ants the aphids are at ease. Although 

 ants are somewhat eccentric about who shall, and 

 who shall not, be allowed the liberties and pro- 

 tection of their burrows, yet the aphids are free to 

 visit any chamber. Not only do they enjoy free 

 passes to go where they wish, but the ants even 

 show them every courtesy and no occupant of the 

 ant-home is allowed to molest them." 



"How do the aphids get their food during the 

 winter, for they surely have no means of support 

 in the ant-homes? " inquired Will Gray. 



The entomologist answered, " Nature has so pro- 

 vided that during this period of indolence, which 

 lasts from two to three weeks, .the aphids can fast. 

 In the meantime the ants are very active, scouting 

 the field in every direction in search of desirable 

 food-plants, principally life-everlasting, and as soon 

 as these are located small channels or galleries are 

 constructed about the tender roots ; the burrows 

 around the roots of life-everlasting are then con- 

 nected with the channels of the ant homes by under- 

 ground passages, and they transfer the aphids to 

 these tender roots undisturbed by frosty air and 

 biting winds. The aphids immediately insert their 



