Carpenter- Ants. 



311 



[The preceding illustration represents the rather remark- 

 able nest of an Australian ant, belonging to the genus Creina- 

 togaster. This word signifies " hanging-belly," and the name 

 has been applied to the ant in consequence of the manner in 

 which its abdomen is held up in the air, so that it overhangs 

 the back. 



[As may be seen, the nest is of considerable size, and might 

 from its external appearance be mistaken for that of a wasp. 

 The interior of it, however, is even more elaborate, being 

 full of little covered passages interlacing with each other 

 in a most intricate manner, but all leading to the internal 

 galleries. 



[The two nests which are shown in the next illustration 

 are, if possible, still more remarkable. 



[The upper one is found in Cayenne, and is made by an 

 insect called the fungus ant (Polyrachis bispinosa), because 

 the nest looks as if it were made of fungus. It is not, how- 



