ANTS 263 



or drab ant is the object of its slave-hunting ex- 

 cursions. 



"In battalions of some thousands each the reds go 

 forth in quest of a nest of drabs. They break into 

 the ant-hill notwithstanding its occupants' resist- 

 ance, and sack the underground city. Presently 

 they take their departure, each with his plunder be- 

 tween his mandibles. They carry away, not the full- 

 grown ants, since these could not be trained to serve 

 in the strange ant-hill and would speedily make their 

 way back to their former home, but the young ones, 

 and the nymphs shut up in their cocoons. 



"Hatched in the domicile of the reds, the ants is- 

 suing from the stolen cocoons look upon the natal 

 ant-hill as their own and there fulfil their customary 

 duties with diligence. They go out after provender, 

 undertake all building operations, care for the larvae 

 of the Amazon ants, and feed their big and stupid 

 conquerors who, once in possession of enough slaves, 

 never leave home again." 



