i 



308 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [December, 



ancient. My observations on their manners and customs have been limited 

 to the last twelve years, during which time the enclosure surrounding the 

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

 which are outside of the enclosure 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. 



"Of 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 Ag- 

 ricultural Ant is placing its cities along the turn-rows in the fields, walks 

 in gardens, inside about the gates, etc., where they can cultivate their 

 farms without molestation from the cattle. 



"There can be no doubt of the fact 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 oflT, the paved 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 know to be the case, in all situations where the ants' settlements 

 are protected from grainivorous animals. 



" I have not the slightest doubt that the Ants plant seeds for the ensu- 

 ing crop; and my conclusions have not been arrived at from hasty or care- 

 less observation, nor from seeing the ants do something that looked a 

 little like it, and then guessing at the results. I have at all seasons 

 watched the same ant-cities during the last twelve years, and I know that 

 what I have stated is true. I visited the same cities yesterday and found 

 the crops of ant-rice growing finely, and exhibiting also the signs of high 

 cultivation, and not a blade of any other kind of grass or weed was to be 

 seen within twelve inches of the circular row of ant-rice." 



The Rev. J. G. Wood says (in his "Bible Animals," from 

 whence the above account is taken): " The economical habits of 

 this wonderful insect far surpass anything that Solomon has written 

 of the Ant, and it is not too much to say that if any of the scrip- 

 tural writers had ventured to speak of an Ant that not only laid 

 up stores of grain, but actually prepared the soil for the crop, 

 planted the seed, kept the ground free from weeds and finally 

 reaped the harvest, the statement would have been utterly dis- 

 believed, and the credibility not only of that particular writer, 

 but of the rest of scripture severely endangered. 



" As may be inferred from the above description, the habits of 

 Ants vary greatly according to their species and the climate in 



