IN THE OPEN 



passed them on its way to the field of operation. 

 Thus the series of raids of this one colony of red 

 ants continued for nearly a month. 



I found no less than three other raids in progress 

 at this time, among widely separated communities, 

 so that the marauding spirit was contagious among 

 them and spread like the war fever. The red 

 warriors were everywhere in arms and bent on 

 pillage. One hill, being free from grass, offered a 

 clear view of what was going on at the doorway 

 at least. Here the black workers the slaves of 

 a former raid were carrying out bits of gravel, 

 while the train of red ants entered, bearing the 

 stolen pupae from the pillaged nest. The red ants 

 were at this time bringing some large queen pupae 

 which they had great difficulty in getting over the 

 ground. As they approached the entrance, the 

 black workers deposited their bits of gravel and 

 ran to their assistance. Several blacks which re- 

 mained near the entrance seemed to aft thus as 

 porters, while others about the top of the hill were 

 engaged as laborers. 



Stopping work at about five o'clock, the train 

 of red ants melted away before one's eyes. They 

 dropped their task very much as a gang of men 



108 



