AGRICULTURAL ANTS. 223 



dry, when they carry it back and pack away all the sound 

 seeds, leaving those that had sprouted to waste. 



' In a peach orchard not far from my house is a considerable 

 elevation, on which is an extensive bed of rock. In the sand- 

 beds overlying portions of this rock are fine cities of the Agri- 

 cultural Ants, evidently very ancient. My observations on 

 their manners and customs have been limited to the last twelve 

 years, during which time the inclosure surrounding the orchard 

 has prevented the approach of cattle to the ant-farms. The 

 cities which are outside the inclosure, as well as those protected 

 in it, are at the proper season invariably planted with the ant- 

 rice. The crop may accordingly always be seen springing up 

 within the circle about the ist of November every year. Oi 

 late years, however, since the number of farms and cattle has 

 greatly increased, and the latter are eating off the grass much 

 closer than formerly, thus preventing the ripening of the seeds, 

 I notice that the Agricultural Ant is placing its cities along the 

 turn-rows in the fields, walks in gardens, inside about the gates, 

 &c., where they can cultivate their farms without molestation 

 from the cattle. 



'There can be no doubt that the particular species of grain- 

 bearing grass mentioned above is intentionally planted. In 

 farmer-like manner the ground upon which it stands is carefully 

 divested of all other grasses and weeds during the time it is 

 growing. When it is ripe, the grain is taken care of, the dry 

 stubble cut away and carried off, the pav^^d area being left 

 unencumbered until the ensuing autumn, when the same " ant- 

 rice " reappears within the same circle, and receives the same 

 agricultural attention as was bestowed upon the previous crop 

 — and so on, year after year, as I k7tow to be the case, in all 

 situations where the Ants' settlements are protected from 

 graminivorous animals.' 



After receiving this account, Mr. Darwin wrote to Dr. 

 Lincecum, asking him whether he thought that the Ants 

 planted seed for the next year's crop, and received the follow- 

 ing answer : ' I have not the slightest doubt of it. And, my 

 , conclusions have not been arrived at from hasty or careless 



