INSECT INTRUDERS. 



probable that the method of extracting 

 food from the seeds varies with different 

 species. Some probably feed on the 

 saccharine matters contained in the seeds, 

 whilst others, many of those probably 

 who heap the grain at their entrance 

 door, allow the mass to ferment and feed 

 upon the sugary matters contained in the 

 fermented grain. 



Whilst awaiting the aforesaid beat I 

 noticed that most of the individuals of 

 the company of ants previously alluded 

 to were carrying one of the seeds of the 

 tall elephant grass apiece. Rarely have 

 I seen anything so curious as the sight 

 presented by the hurrying and scurrying 

 mass of small black ants, each about a 

 third of an inch in length, with a big 

 head and strong jaws in which the seed 

 was tightly clutched, its silvery feathery 

 tuft waving aloft in the air. The task of 

 carrying this seed was no light one as 

 its feathery appendage caught in every 

 little blade of grass or piece of stick or 

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