624 



HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



Fungus Ant 



These ants, however, find the fibre useful for their work, and 

 contrive to weave it so dexterously that the individuality of the 

 fibres is lost, and they are all made into a compact and uniform 

 mass. The size of the nests varies, but is sometimes very consid- 

 erable, a full-sized nest being often as large as a man's head. 



The ant itself is rather a curious little creature, dark in color, 

 covered with many angular protuberances, and being remarkable 

 for a couple of long, sharp spines that project from the thorax, 

 one on either side. Its scientific names, Polyrachis bispinosa, are 

 given in consequence of these projections, the first name being 

 composed of two Greek words signifying many-peaked, and the 

 second being formed from two Latin words signifying two-spined. 



There are many insects whose habitations are peculiarly an- 

 noying to mankind, and yet are extremely interesting to those 

 who take an interest in the workings of instinct. Chief among 

 these insects is the well-known Clothes Moth. There are sev- 

 eral allied species which popularly go by this name, but the most 

 plentiful is that which bears the scientific title of Tinea vestianella. 

 These destructive little creatures are proverbially injurious to 

 clothes, especially if the garments be made of wool or furs, vege- 

 table fabrics being not to their taste. Some species affect dried 

 insects, and are, in consequence, extremely baleful to the entomol- 



