MODES OF EMEKGING FROM PUPjE. 329 



occupied in disengaging the winged individual from 

 its envelope ; they took repose and relieved each 

 other by turns, evincing great easjerness in seconding 

 their companions in the task. To expedite the work, 

 some raised up a little sHp cut out in the length of 

 the cocoon, whilst others drew the insect gently from 

 its imprisonment. Wlien the ant was extricated from 

 its envckiping membrane, it was not, like other in- 

 sects, capable of enjoying its freedom and taking 

 flight ; it could neither fly, nor walk, nor, without 

 difHcuIty, stand ; for the body was still confined by 

 another membrane, from w^hich it could not by its 

 own exertions disengage itself 



' In this fresh embarrassment, the labourer-ants 

 did not forsake it : they removed the satin-like pel- 

 licle which embraced every part of the body, drew 

 the antennre gently from their investment, then dis- 

 engaged the teet and the wings, and lastly the body, 

 with the abdomen and its peduncle. The insect wa3 

 now in a condition to walk and receive nourishment, 

 for which it appeared there was urgent need. Thj 

 first attention, therefore, paid it by the guardians was 

 that of giving it the food I had placed within their 

 reach. 



' The ants in every part of the ant-hill were occu- 

 pied in giving liberty to the males, females, and 

 young labourer-ants, which were still enveloped. On 

 being disencumbered of their coverings, the rem- 

 nants were collected and placed aside in one of the 

 most distant lodges of their habitation; for these in- 

 sects observe the greatest order and regularity. 

 Some species of ants remove these shreds to a dis- 

 tance from the ant-hill, others cover the exterior sur- 

 face of their nest with them, or collect them in partic- 

 ular apartments.'* 



A very interesting experiment upon this subject 

 was tried by Dr J. R. Johnson, of Bristol. ' Among 



* Hnber on Ants, p. 88, 

 TOL. VI. -28* 



