ANTS 147 



she lias hocii hn)iigliL iiilo llic lahoniton . Note the iiiUTvals 

 duiiiiL;' ^^■liicll eggs are laid. Dcscrilx* tlic action of tlic <|ii(M'n 

 and workers in re<>-ard to tlic eui's ^^lK'n llic nest is distnrbt'd. 

 lluw soon do ants become aecustonied to the carefnl interfer- 

 ence of being observed ? Fill the sponges w ith w atcr, one day 

 hot, another day cold. A\'hat effect upon the ai)parent care of 

 the eggs has a difference in nioistnre, temperature, and light? 



Larva. The time taken for the eggs to liatcli depends upon 

 the warmth and humidity of the atmosphere. The time of in- 

 cubation is about twenty days. The larvie are soft, footless 

 grubs, the smaller end being the head. The presence of hooked 

 hairs upon the bodies of the larvae explains how they are car- 

 ried in bundles. Note that the larva' are helpless. They are 

 not only fed by the cpieen and workers, but are carried about 

 to places of proper temperature and humidity. AVith the aid 

 of a lens observe how the workers ami queen feed the larvie. 

 The queen has food stored m her body, which enal)les her to 

 live and feed her first brood without lierself takino- food. This 

 fact probably accounts for tlie small size of the first brood, 

 which is composed of workers, as compared with subse(pient 

 broods. The queen is relieved of all work when the workers 

 appear. They feed her and the larvie and assume all work 

 of the colony. 



Note that the larvie are of different aues, and that thev 

 spin cocoons as soon as they become full-grown. Aie the lar- 

 vie and pupa' kept together? Ants have no regular places 

 for their young; even in the natural nest they are carried to 

 places which offer suitable conditions. The pui)a stage like 

 the larval lasts about twenty days Avhen the temperature is 

 alxnit 80°. Observe that the cocoon turns yellowish lu-fore 

 the young ant (callow) appears. How long before tlie callows 

 assume the duties of adult workers? 



