ANTS 295 



antennae like horns, and is allowed free access to any part of the nest. Refer- 

 ence is made to the rare beetles often to be found amongst ants ; and most 

 interesting of all, perhaps, is the aphis. The ants " milk " aphides by touch- 

 ing the two " teats " on their backs, which exude the sweet fluid known as 

 "honey-dew." In the winter aphides are actually kept in the nests, feeding 

 upon the roots of grass ; but during spring and summer they are taken out 

 and placed on brambles or roses. The ants seen so frequently climbing roses 

 are in reality engaged in seeking for aphides in order to " milk " them. 



At least one British species, Formica sanguinea, keeps slaves. For this 

 purpose it raids the nests of F. fusca, and carries off the pupae, which it tends 

 and cares for, and from which the workers on emerging take their place as 

 servants in the robbers' nests. 



This very brief and inadequate sketch must suffice ; but the way to realize 

 for oneself the extraordinary sagacity and intelligence of these insects is to 

 keep them in artificial nests. These are easily made. Two pieces of glass, 

 about 10 to 12 inches square, form the top and bottom of such a nest, while 

 the sides consist of thin slips of the same glued between them. One side 

 should have an opening of an inch or so, through which a spoonful of water 

 can be occasionally poured to keep the inside moist. A drop or two of 

 honey for food should be placed on a tuft of cotton wool, which is then used 

 to plug the opening and serve as a " cork," as ants are unable to get through it. 



The interior is rilled with sifted earth or sand, and all that remains is to 

 dig up an ants' nest, find one of the queens known at once by her large 

 size and to bring her and some workers home. It is as well also to get some 

 of the little white wood-lice referred to above, to act as scavengers in your 

 glass nest. The simplest way to get the ants into the nest is to lay the nest 

 on a board slightly larger, and place it in a basin of water so that it forms 

 an island. Then pour your captured ants, soil and all, on the top, and leave 

 them. In a few hours they will have found their way into the glass case. 



Ants may be kept for many months in these cases, and require no atten- 

 tion but a little water to keep the earth within damp, and a little honey once 

 or twice a week for food. 



The Wood Ant requires a case at least i inch thick, in which pine needles 

 may be placed ; but the other species must be in cases which are no thicker 

 than their own size. The slips of glass used for the sides should be about 

 iV of an inch thick on this account. Keep the cases covered from light, 

 except when used for observation purposes. 



HORNETS, WASPS, AND BEES. 



HORNETS AND WASPS. 



Before we come to the true Wasps, the barest mention must be made of 

 three families known as " Digger Wasps." One species, belonging to the 

 Scoliidce, burrows into the ground, and lays its eggs upon the larvae of beetles. 



