Milch-Cows of the Ants. 



NEST OF LASIUS. 

 Neuters About Their Work. 



109 



divers communicating roads, and round about were hundreds 

 of ants, larvse in various stages of development, pupae and 

 eggs, and innumerous flocks of a white aphis, all of which 

 were being tenderly cared for by a large army of thoughtful 

 nurses. 



No sooner did the intrusion occur than the colony was a 

 scene of busy activity. Interested in what was before him, 

 the writer seated himself upon a small mound overlooking 

 the nest, where could be clearly observed the minutest de- 

 tails of ant-life. The neuters were everywhere to be noticed, 

 but hot a single male or female ant. All the work devolved 

 upon the neuters. These were divided into three sets, each 

 set having a definite part to perform in the unexpected drama 

 before it. Some neuters had the exclusive charge of the 

 mature larvae, others of the pupae and very young grubs, 

 and the rest of their aphidian herds. 



But it is to those that had the care of the aphides that we 

 shall particularly invite attention. At the time of the disturb- 

 ance, these specialized neuters were busy milking their cows, 

 which they did by rubbing their long, pliant feelers against 



