62 TWO CHAPTERS ON ANTS. 



are not allowed to remain at the feast. The 

 ants are not obliged to touch these insects 

 to enable them to ascertain whether they 

 are members of the colony, but they see 

 from afar, and usually three or four will 

 simultaneously attack a bee, grasping it by 

 the legs ; the bee struggles, trying to free 

 herself from her persecutors, but not until 

 she rises to fly will they let go their grasp. 

 Among these insects is one cunning hum- 

 blebee that has in a measure learned to 

 evade the attacks of the warriors. She is 

 very quick to see in every direction around 

 her, and if only two or three attack her, she 

 stands on three legs, holding the others up 

 beyond their reach. In a week both mas- 

 ters and slaves have become so accustomed 

 to this persistent bumblebee that they sel- 

 dom attack her, yet still drive off all other 

 insects the moment they alight upon the 

 leaf. But the bumblebee is still cautious 

 and wary, and elevates her feet on the side 

 that an ant approaches. After awhile she 

 adopts another stratagem. AVhen one is 

 coming toward her she faces about and 

 strikes quick and repeated blows with one 

 of her forelegs ; if the ant persists in com- 

 ing, it receives the blows, and usually re- 

 treats. She never disturbs the ants except 



