346 HABITS AND INSTINCTS OF ANIMALS. CHAP. X. 



conglomerated, like bees,, on the surface of their nests ; 

 from whence, on the least disturbance, they will dis- 

 appear in an instant. In the interior of one of M. 

 Huber's artificial nests, in which he had confined some 

 of this species, he saw some reposing, which appeared 

 to be asleep, while others were variously employed. It 

 seems ludicrous to assert that ants have their gambols 

 and relaxations; but the following authorities, collected 

 from unquestionable sources, are not to be set aside, 

 and we must confess that they really " amuse them- 

 selves with games and sports." As we cannot add any 

 original information on this part of their history, we 

 shall give it in the words of Messrs. Kirby and Spence, 

 who combine their own experience with that of Gould, 

 Huber, and Bonnet. " You may frequently perceive 

 one of the rufous ants (Formica rufa) run to and fro 

 with a fellow labourer in his forceps, of the same 

 species and colony. It appeared, at first, doubtful 

 what would be the result ; but I was soon undeceived, 

 by observing that, after being carried for some time, it 

 was let go in a friendly manner, and received no per- 

 sonal injury. This amusement," says Gould, " or 

 whatever title you please to give it, is often repeated, 

 particularly among the hill ants, who are very fond of 

 this sportive exercise." A nest of ants which Bonnet 

 found on the top of a plant, on a sunny day, amused 

 themselves with carrying each other on their backs, 

 the rider holding with his mandibles the neck of his 

 horse, and embracing it closely with his legs. 



(349.) But the most circumstantial account of these 

 sports is given by Huber. " I approached, one day," 

 says he, "one of the nests of the red arit (F. rufa) 

 exposed to the sun, and sheltered from the north ; 

 the inhabitants were heaped together in great numbers, 

 and seemed to enjoy reposing in the warmth, for none 

 of them were working. The whole multitude exhibited 

 the appearance of a boiling fluid, upon which, at first, 

 the eye could scarce fix itself without difficulty. But 

 when I set myself to examine each ant separately, I 



