280 Insect Architecture. 



The nest which our turf-ants constructed in the flower- 

 pot was externally of an imperfect square form, in consequence 

 of its situation; for they usually prefer a circular plan. 

 The principal chambers were placed under the arches, and, 

 when inspected, contained a pile of cocoons, and pupaa. 

 Beneath those upper chambers there were others dug out 

 deeper down, in which were also a numerous collection of 

 eggs and cocoons in various stages of advancement. (J. R.) 



Mr. Knapp describes a still more curious structure of 

 another species of ant common in this country : " One 

 year," says he, "on the third of March, my labourer being 

 employed in cutting up ant-hills, or tumps as we call them, 

 exposed to view multitudes of the yellow species (Formica 

 flava) in their winter's retirement. They were collected in 

 numbers in little cells and compartments, communicating 

 with others by means of narrow passages. In many of the 

 cells they had deposited their larvae, which they were surround- 

 ing and attending, but not brooding over or covering. Being 

 disturbed by our rude operations, they removed them from 

 our sight to more hidden compartments. The larvse were 

 small. Some of these ant-hills contained multitudes of the 

 young of the wood-louse (Oniscus armadillo), inhabiting with 

 perfect familiarity the same compartments as the ants, crawl- 

 ing about with great activity with them, and perfectly 

 domesticated with each other. They were small and white ; 

 but the constant vibration of their antennae, and the alacrity 

 of their motions, manifested a healthy vigour. The ants 

 were in a torpid state ; but on being removed into a tempe- 

 rate room, they assumed much of their summer's anima- 

 tion. How these creatures are supported during the winter 

 season it is difficult to comprehend ; as in no one instance 

 could we perceive any store or provision made for the supply 

 of their wants. The minute size of the larvae manifested 

 that they had been recently deposited ; and consequently that 

 their parents had not remained during winter in a dormant 

 state, and thus free from the calls of hunger. The preceding 

 month of February, and part of January, had been remark- 

 ably severe ; the frost had penetrated deep into the earth, 



