156 TTTE MOST GIFTED INSECT EACfi. 



or two, and then go through the curious process of 

 depriving themselves of their wings. They do not bite 

 them off, as has often been stated at least in any case 

 which I have seen but force the wings forward, press 

 the tips against the ground, and with a sharp jerk snap 

 them off close to the body. 



The wings are not toni out from their sockets, and 

 there are no marks on them as of teeth. They are 



ANTS DRAGGING BEETLE. 



simply snapped asunder, and, after the operation is 

 concluded, the short stumps of the four wings can be 

 seen projecting from the thorax. 



It is easy to distinguish the males from the females, 

 although they both possess wings. The males are but 

 little larger than the workers, while the females are 

 twice as large, and hardly look as if they belonged to 

 the same species. 



How a new colony is founded is as yet unknown. 

 That a queen from an existing community vdll not be 

 received by other subjects has been conclusively proved 



