THE BROWN ANT. 79 



instinctively make, all building operations would be stopped 

 during a drought, whereas, by descending to the cellars or 

 crypts of the mansion, the ants can obtain sufficient clay for 

 ordinary work. 



In order to watch the ants closer, Huber constructed a kind 

 of vivarium in which they could work, and supplied them with 

 earth, sand, and other necessaries. As, in this artificial state of 

 existence, the insects could not procure moisture from the depths 

 of the earth, moisture from other sources was necessary. When- 

 ever the insects had ceased to work, they could almost always 

 be induced to renew their labours by dipping a stiff brush in 

 water, and striking the hand upon it in such a manner that the 

 water descended like very fine rain upon the earth. As soon 

 as the formerly quiescent ants felt the grateful shower, they 

 regained their activity, ran about with renewed energy, and set 

 to work upon the soil, moulding it into little pellets, and testing 

 each tiny ball with their antenna before they apphed it to the 

 purposes for which it was made. 



While some of the ants were engaged in this task, which must 

 be considered as analogous to brickmaking as practised by man- 

 kind, others were scooping out shallow hollows in the clay floor, 

 the little ridges that were left standing being the foundation of 

 the new walls. On these were dabbed the earthen pellets, and 

 adjusted by means of the mandibles or by pressure of the fore 

 feet, thus receiving compactness and uniformity. The most 

 difficult part of such a task is the formation of the ceiling, but 

 the ants do not appear to be at all embarrassed by so formidable 

 an undertaking, but can lay ceilings of two inches in diameter 

 with perfect certaint}^ The method of constructing the ceiling 

 is by moulding the clay pellets into each angle of the chamber 

 and also to the top of the pillars. As fast as one row of pellets 

 becomes dry, a second is added ; and the insects perform this 

 delicate duty with such accuracy, that although so many centres 

 are employed, the parts always coincide in the proper spots. 

 The peculiar kneading and biting to which the clay pellets are 

 subjected makes them exceedingly tenacious, so that they adhere 

 strongly on the slightest contact. 

 As is well known, the ants do not retain their wings for any 



