DISCAEDED WINGS. 185 



mistook for flies, and inquired accordingly what could be 

 their business in such incongruous society. "They are no 

 flies," said we, "but ants themselves female ants, though 

 with somewhat of the air, certainly, of being in masquerade 

 or fancy costume. But say what we will of their attire, we 

 must needs confess that they are in their proper places ; for 

 they are the matrons of the community, and, as we see, they 

 are at home." 



Our young companion made no reply ; but stooping down, 

 seemed wholly engrossed by examination of the ant-hill. 

 " Look," exclaimed she, presently ; " there is one of these 

 portly dames without any wings at all. I suppose some of her 

 neighbours have taken up a spite against her, and combined 

 to strip her of her glittering appendages." 



"By no means," we answered, "she has laid them aside ly 

 her own voluntary act. Only see, my dear Emily, here is 

 one of her sisters even now employed in the business of 

 disrobing." 



We both stooped, and watched narrowly the curious opera- 

 tion to which we had directed our young friend's attention. 

 One of the larger insects in question was actively employed in 

 agitating her wings, bringing them before her head, crossing 

 them in every direction, throwing them from side to side, and 

 producing so many singular contortions as to cause them all four 

 to fall off at the same moment, leaving her reduced to the same 



condition as her wingless sister. Fatigued, apparently, by her 

 VOL. II 12. 



