166 ANTS, BEES AND WASPS 



circumference ; and although to all appearance the nest is but a 

 medley of odds and ends piled up in a haphazard fashion, every 

 one of those pine-needles and fragments has been truly and care- 

 fully laid in place by the skilful little builders. The rough-lot)king 

 heap is in reality a model building, perfectly planned and carried 

 out, and exactly adapted to the requirements and mode of life of 

 the ant-people. 



Not only are the Wood Ants proficient in building, they are 

 road-makers too. From the ant-hill in various directions are 

 well-defined tracks, traversed by the workers as they go about 

 their tasks outside the confines of the nest. Up and down these 

 roadways myriads of the little creatures are continually passing; 

 all intent on important business, though what that business is it 

 is not always easy to determine. It is quite evident, though, even 

 to our eyes, that parties of ants are setting forth on foraging 

 expeditions, some are making or mending the roads, some are 

 wending their way homewards carrying fresh building materials 

 to enlarge or repair the nest ; now and again successful hunting 

 parties may be seen returning to the nest dragging between them 

 a large caterpillar, or each individual carrying a smaller victim 

 in its jaws. While if we watch these restless little creatures care- 

 fully we shall notice here and there certain individuals that are 

 plainly taking a holiday walking about amusing themselves and 

 pausing by the way to exchange a few words with their friends 

 and acquaintances, after the manner of human folk. 



The little yellow Meadow Ant, Lasius flaws, and the common 

 black Garden Ant, L. niger, throw up mounds of loose soil taken 

 from the underground excavations, which serve to throw off the 

 rain and prevent the subterranean chambers and galleries from 

 being flooded ; or the entrance to the nest may be simply under 

 a stone, while the Garden Ant will sometimes take advantage of 

 an inverted flower-pot as a means of protection. Species of the 

 genus Lasius are very common in England. Although amongst 

 the smallest of ants, they are wonderfully clever and courageous 

 little creatures. When attacked l>y parties of marauding ants 

 from other larger species they will boldly defend themselves, but 

 will always retreat within their nests at the first favourable oppor- 

 tunity, and block the entrances of the galleries to prevent their 

 foes from gaining admission. 



