THE MOST GIFTED INSECT RACE. 



CHAPTER III. 



PLUNDER AND SLAVE-CATCHING. 



rmay seem strange that the practice of slave-hunting, 

 so much reprehended among human beings, should 

 be instinctively followed by insects, but it is nevertheless 

 the fact that many ants are actually obliged to make 

 slaves in order to live. The species in question can 

 certainly manage without slaves, although it is more 

 comfortable with them. The late Mr. F. Smith found 

 in its nests no less than four other species of ant, all of 

 which were contentedly playing the part of domestic 

 servants. Sometimes they even assail the nests of their 

 own species. 



Mr. Bignell showed me a couple of specimens of the 

 Wood Ant, both workers, one of which had been cap- 



