314< ANTS NOT INJURED BY COLD. 



were surrounding and attending, but not brooding 

 over or covering. Being disturbed by our rude 

 operations, they removed them from our sight to 

 more hidden compartments. The larvae were small. 

 Some of these anthills contained multitudes of the 

 young of the woodlouse (oniscus armadillo), in- 

 habiting with perfect familiarity the same compart- 

 ments as the ants, crawling about with great activity 

 with them, and perfectly domesticated with each 

 other. They were small and white ; but the con- 

 stant vibration of their antennas, and the alacrity of 

 their motions, manifested a healthy vigour. The 

 ants were in a somewhat torpid state ; but on being 

 removed into a temperate room, they assumed much 

 of their summer animation. How these creatures 

 are supported during the winter season it is difficult 

 to comprehend, as in no one instance could we per- 

 ceive any store or provision made for the supply of 

 their wants. The minute size of the larvae mani- 

 fested that they had been recently deposited ; and 

 consequently that their parents had not remained 

 during winter in a dormant state, and thus free 

 from the calls of hunger. The preceding month of 

 February, and part of January, had been remarka- 

 bly severe ; the frost had penetrated deep into the 

 earth, and long held it frozen ; the ants were in 

 many cases not more than four inches beneath the 

 surface, and must have been enclosed in a mass of 

 frozen soil for a long period ; yet they, their young, 



