THE MUSHROOM ANTS. 



In Africa and other tropical countries 

 there is a remarkably interesting species 

 of the termite, or white ant, called the 

 Mushroom Ant, from the fact that its 

 nests resemble gigantic mvishrooms. 

 These nests, which cover the prairies sur- 

 rounding the great forests, are formed 

 of a clayey material, predigested in the 

 ant's body, and are so constructed that 

 neither light, air nor rain can penetrate 

 their walls. Each structure is the home 

 of a colony, and, as the individuals in- 

 crease in number, two, and often three, 

 crowns, one upon the other, surmount a 

 single column. As the increase contin- 

 ues, and the danger of top heaviness be- 

 comes imminent, the colony divides into 

 two, and a new home is begun nearby. 



As this species multiplies with almost 

 incredible rapidity, its nests number 

 thousands and the prairie, on the author- 

 ity of eye witnesses, presents a unique 

 and wonderful spectacle. Each colony 

 includes three kinds of ants. First in 

 rank are the chiefs. They are few in 

 number. They have large bodies and 

 heads armed with powerful nippers. 

 Next in rank are the officers, or over- 

 seers, and the fighters. These are some- 

 what smaller, though they boast the same 

 powerful nippers. Lastly there are the 

 workers, the most numerous class in the 

 community. Their bodies are compara- 

 tively small, and their nippers short. 



When about to build, the following in- 

 genious and interesting method is pur- 

 sued. The dry season is chosen and a 

 lime when there is no sun. Old Sol is a 

 deadly foe to this species of the insect 

 family. The chiefs give their orders to 

 the overseers, and these in turn transmit 

 them to the workers. The first step is the 

 hollowing out of deep p-^rpendicular tun- 

 nels, reaching down to the blue clay, 

 which is the basis of their building ma- 

 terial. The next is the makingf of similar 

 tunnels, reaching upward. These tun- 

 nels are the highways, along w'hich travel 

 a never ceasing stream of workers, to 

 and from their field of supply. The clay 

 is eaten, transformed during the diges- 

 tive process into a gluey substance, and 

 ejected from their bodies in large quan- 



tities. The loads are put side by side, 

 with all the skill and precision of an ex- 

 pert bricklayer. An officer overlooks the 

 work of this well drilled army, in which, 

 apparently, there is not one lazy individ- 

 ual. Occasionally an ant brings grains 

 of sand and deposits them in the mortar. 

 The structure rises as if by enchantment. 

 First the column, usually five inches in 

 diameter, then the crown, with its nu- 

 merous cells communicating with each 

 other. A large cell, reserved for the 

 queen, has an entrance at each end. The 

 tunnels are lined with a gluey substance 

 ejected from the worker's body. This is 

 to prevent their giving way. At the 

 base of the column, inside, is a round 

 clay ball, divided into three parts. Here 

 are the very small cells where the eggs 

 are to. be deposited. This ball communi- 

 cates with the other part of the- building 

 by tunnels, through which the eggs can 

 be transferred to the various cells. 



When all is complete the household is 

 arranged. Officers are scattered over the 

 building in order that they may more 

 conveniently watch the cells. A special 

 guard is provided for the queen. The 

 queen's life is devoted to laying eggs. 

 This duty she does thoroughly. The heat 

 hatches her enormous production and the 

 tiny ants, milky white in color, are re- 

 moved to other cells and carefully tended 

 by the workers. 



A colony, like the above, may go on 

 without mishap for a long period of time, 

 but often an accident happens. It may 

 be the foot of art animal, the falling 

 branch of a tree, or some other cause, but 

 a crash is heard and a portion, at least,^ 

 of their home is in ruins. 



Immediately officers appear at the 

 openings of tunnels, and the damage is 

 reported to the chiefs. Soon after over- 

 seers station themselves at all the breaks 

 with nippers open. Orders are given and 

 the work of rescue begins. The wound- 

 ed that are past hope are left to die. Those 

 less seriously hutt are gently lifted be- 

 tween the nippers of the rescuer and car- 

 ried inside. Those who can hop or creep 

 about are led, and the young are carried 

 with the utmost care. When this work 



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