384 THE INSECT WORLD. 
the Ashy-black Ant (Formica nigra, Fig. 363), the Brown, the 
Yellow (Formica flava), the Blood-red, the Russety (/olyergus 
rufescens), the Black, the Miner (Formica cunicularia), the Turf 
Ant, &. All these species employ a mortar, more or less fine, in 
raising their hillocks, at the same time that they hollow out their 
underground dwellings. The Jet Ant (Formica fuliginosa) exca- 
vates wood, hollowing out its labyrinth in the trunk of a tree 

Fig. 363.—Ashy-black Ant (ormica nigrz). Male, female, and worker. 
with consummate skill. The Red Ant (Myrmica rubra) plies, 
according to circumstances, the trade of a mason or excavator. 
The masons work when they can profit by the rain or by the 
evening dew, to make their mortar. They only go out after 
sunset, or when a fine rain has wetted their roof. Then they set 
to work. They roll up pellets of earth, bring them back in their 
mandibles, and stick them on to those places where the building 
was left unfinished. From all sides the earth-workers may be 

Fig. 864.—Ashy Ant. Male, worker, and female. 
seen arriving, laden with materials. _ All these are bustling, 
hurrying, busy, but always in the greatest order, and with a 
perfect understanding among themselves. Every part of the 
building is going on at the same time. The apartments spring 
up one above another, and the edifice visibly rises. The rain, the 
sun, and the wind consolidate and harden the building so cun- 
ningly contrived by these industrious workers, who have received 
from God alone their marvellous science. With no other tool 
