50 TWO CHAPTERS ON ANTS. 



his antennae, and they come directly to the 

 leaf, look on a moment, and turn back as the 

 first did. Quite a large detachment of sol- 

 diers have j ust formed in line, and are march- 

 ing past this nest at a point some five feet 

 distant. As soon as the informers reach the 

 line it causes a great disturbance, the column 

 is broken, the soldiers seem confused, and 

 rush about as if they did not know what to do. 

 However, a large number soon find the leaf 

 on which the ants are feeding, but they do 

 not venture upon it simply dance around 

 with extended mandibles, as if daring them 

 to come off. And now the large ants take 

 alarm, and all save one make a simultane- 

 ous rush, starting in different directions. 

 Six are soon seized, each by three or four red 

 warriors. Five of the struggling captives 

 I release, and drop into alcohol. The sixth 

 is disabled, and finally killed and left on 

 the field. The remaining ant on the leaf 

 behaves in a singular manner, as if not 

 aware of the danger which surrounds her ; 

 she has ceased feeding, and stands nearly 

 perpendicular, passing her forelegs over her 

 antennae and down the sides of her body. 

 As soon as this work is completed she hur- 

 ries away in an opposite direction from the 

 nest, but is soon overtaken by the soldiers. 



