3676 The Zoologist — September, 1873. 



with their mandibles, rejecting the elytra and other hard parts." It 



will be seen from several expressions in this brief account that 



Mr, Holme's observations were continuous, extending over summers 



and winters ; we also learn with pleasure that the widows of 



water-beetles are not utterly inconsolable. I wish here to invite 



attention to the fact that up to this period (1844), although the 



aquarium was thoroughly utilized, more so indeed than ever since, 



its name had not been mentioned. 



Edward Newman. 



(To be continued.) 



Harvesting Ants and Trapdoor Spiders: Notes and Observations on 

 their Habits and Dwellings. By J. Traherne Moggridgb, 

 F.L.S. London : L. Reeve & Co. 1873. 



Passages from the Ancients afhrmiug the Harvesting Habits 

 of Ants: — 



" Go to the aut, thou sluggard ; cousider her ways, and be wise : which 

 having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat iu the summer, and 

 gathereth her food in the harvest." — Proverbs of Solomon, vi. G — 8, 



"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in 

 summer." — Id., xxx. 25. 



" The provident one, the ant, harvests the grain." — Hesiod, Works and 

 Days, 776. 



" The aut is neither ignorant nor careless of the future." — Horace, 

 Satires I. 33. 



" The beach is covered o'er 

 With Trojan bands that blacken all the shore ; 

 On every side are seen, descending down, 

 Thick swarms of soldiers, loaded from the town. 

 Thus in battalion, march embodied ants, 

 Fearful of winter and of future wants, 

 T' invade the corn and to their cells convey 

 The plundered forage of their yellow prey. 

 The sable troops along the narrow tracks. 

 Scarce bear the weighty burthen on their backs ; 

 Some set their shoulders to the ponderous grain ; 

 Some guard the spoil ; some lash the lagging train ; 

 All ply their several tasks, and equal toil sustain." 



Virgil, ^neid, iv. 400. 



