112 ANTS AND ANT LIFE 



steadily recommenced the ascent after each successive- 

 tumble, nor halted in their labor until they had crowned the 

 summit, and lodged their burden on the common heap.'* 

 Similar proceedings were often observed by Dr. Jerdon, 

 ("Madras Journ. Lit. and Sc.," 1851, p. 46,) who had 

 several packets of seeds he kept in his room emptied by 

 these ants before he was aware of it. On the 7th November, 

 1866, Mr. Home observed an Indian ant (Psendomyrma 

 rufo-nigra, Jerdon,) with the same habits near Mainpuri 

 (" Hardwicke's Science Gossip," No. 81), p. 10!)). A long 

 column of grain-carrying ants betrayed to him the way to a 

 subterranean nest with five or six entrances, which he found 

 in the middle of a floor of earth, aboxit eighteen inches in 

 diameter, firm, smooth, and kept perfectly clean. From 

 this floor not less than thirteen roads led in all directions, 

 which were perfectly smooth and clean, going over all the 

 unevennesses of the ground, and these could be followed for 

 from thirty to forty yards, until they were lost in the grass. 

 Near the entrances were large rubbish heaps, placed care- 

 fully on one side, which consisted chiefly of the husks of the 

 gathered corn. 



In times of scarcity, observers say, that not only are the 

 nests of these ants plundered, but the rubbish heaps are also 

 seized, and are used a? food in common with other grains. 

 The time of year at which Home made his observations 

 was the beginning of the cold weather in November, i,e., the 

 beginning of the time of privation. Dr. Buchanan White 

 sends from Capri ("Trans, of the Ent. Soc.," 1872, part 1,) 

 under the 3rd of June, 1866, almost the same observation. 

 " The perseverance with which a single ant would try and 

 draw a pod four times his own length was very interesting ; 

 sometimes three or four ants would unite in carrying one 

 burden. Near the formicarium was a great mass of debris, 

 consisting of empty pods, twigs, emptied snail-shells, etc., 

 cast out by the ants. The seeds appeared to be stored 

 inside the nest, as in one that I opened the other day I 

 found a large collection." 



That harvesting-ants were to be found in Palestine is 

 proved by the texts from old Jewish writings given in chap. v k 

 Mr. F. Smith has lately confirmed the presence there of 

 Atta barbara, and Mr. Moggridge has received accounts, 

 thence, which leave no doubt remaining, that the granaries. 



