232 STRANGE DWELLINGS. 



The remarkable fact has already been mentioned, that two 

 species of Wasp will inhabit the same nest, and amicably work 

 at the same edifice. Entomologists have long been aware that 

 two species of Ant will dwell in the same nest, and live upon 

 friendly terms, although the association of the working part of 

 the community is not voluntary, but compulsory. 



The Ant which employs enforced labour is called the 

 Amazon Ant (Polyergus rufesceus)^ and is tolerably common 

 on the Continent. This insect is not furnished with jaws 

 which are capable of performing the work that usually falls to 

 the lot of the neuters ; but the same length and sharpness of 

 the mandibles which unfit the insect for work, render it emi- 

 nently capable of warfare. When, therefore, a colony of the 

 Amazon Ants is about to establish itself, the insects form 

 themselves into an army, and set off on a slave-hunting ex- 

 pedition. 



There are at least two species of Ant which act as servants 

 to the Amazon Ants, the one being named Formica fused, and 

 the other Formica cunicularia \ and to the nests of one or othei 

 of these insects the Amazons direct their march. 



As soon as they reach the nest, they penetrate into all its 

 recesses, in spite of opposition, and search every corner for 

 their spoil. This consists solely of the pupa3 which will after- 

 wards be developed into neuters ; and vast numbers of the un- 

 conscious young are carried off in the jaws of the conquerors. 

 The rightful owners and relatives of the captured young cannot 

 resist the enemy, as their shorter though more generally useful 

 jaws are unable to contend with the long and sharply-pointed 

 weapons of their foes. 



After the marauding army has returned, the living spoils are 

 carefully deposited in the nest, where they are speedily hatched 

 into perfect insects of the worker class, and immediately take 

 on themselves the labours of the nest, just as they would have 

 done in their own home. The Amazon Ant seems to be utterly 

 incapable of work ; and in one notable instance, when a num- 

 ber of them were confined in a glass-case, together with some 



