1 8 Flashlichits on Nature 



tlic aphides live in a business-like way, atid goes 

 straiglit to the point, as if he knew what he was 

 after. When he linds an aphis that looks likely, 

 he strokes and caresses her gently with his antennie 

 (as you see in the sketch), coaxing her to yield up 

 tlie coveted nectar. The aphis, on her side, glad 

 to receive his polite attentions, and accustomed to 

 the signal, exudes a clear drop of her surplus sweet, 

 which the ant licks up with its jaws greedily. But 

 ants do much more than this in the way of aiding 

 and protecting their " cows." They really appro- 

 priate them. Often they build, with mud, covered 

 ways or galleries up to their particular herds, and 

 erect earthen cowsheds above them ; they also 

 fight in defence of their flocks, as a Zulu will tight 

 for his oxen, or an Arab for his camels. Their 

 foresight is almost human : for when the winter 

 eggs are laid, the ants will transport them into 

 their nest, to keep tliL'm safe against frost ; and 

 when summer comes again, they will carry them 

 out with care, and place them in the sun to hatch 

 on the proper food-plant. Could man himself 

 show greater prudence and forethought than these 

 mites of herdsmen ? 



"The eggs." says Sir John Lubbock, "are laid 

 early in October on the food-plant of the insect. 

 They are of no direct use to the ants ; yet they 

 are not left where they are laid, exposed to the 

 severity of the weather and to innumerable dangers, 

 but brought into the nests, and tended with the 

 utmost care through the long winter months till 



