THE AMA20X ANT. 459 



ia extremely long, though not wide, and extends through nearly 

 the length of the nest, so that the edgqs of the comhs can be 

 seen by looking into the aperture. The edges of the entrance 

 are rounded, so that the outer edge is wider than the inner ; but 

 it is stiU sufficiently wide to allow the little finger of a man's 

 hand to be passed into the interior; while its length is so 

 great, that forty or fifty insects might enter or leave the nest 

 together. 



The remarkable fact has already been mentioned, that two 

 species of Wasp wUl inhabit the same nest, and amicably work 

 at the same edifice. Entomologists have long been aware that 

 two species of Ant will dwell in the same nest, and live upon 

 firiendly terms, although the association of the working part of 

 the community is not voluntaiy, but compulsory. 



The Ant which employs enforced labour is called the Amazon 

 Ant {Polyergus rufesceni), and is tolerably common on the 

 Continent. This insect is not furnished with jaws which are 

 capable of performing the work that usually falls to the lot of 

 the neuters ; but the same length and sharpness of the mandibles 

 which unfit the insect for work, render it eminently capable of 

 warfare. When, therefore, a colony of the Amazon Ants is about 

 to establish itself, the insects form themselves into an army, and 

 set off on a slave-hunting expedition. 



There are at least two species of Ant which act as servants to 

 the Amazon Ants, the one being named Formica fusea, and the 

 other Formica eu/tiicularia ; and to the nests of one or other of 

 these insects the Amazons direct their march. 



As soon as they reach the nest, they penetrate into all its 

 recesses, in spite of opposition, and search every corner for their 

 spoil. This consists solely of the pupae which wiU afterwards 

 be developed into neuters ; and vast numbers of the* unconscious 

 young are carried off in the jaws of the conquerors. The rightful 

 owners and relatives of the captm'ed young cannot resist the 

 enemy, as their shorter though more generally useful jaws are 

 unable to contend with the long and sharply-pointed weapons of 

 their foes. 



After the marauding army has returned, the living spoils are 

 carefully deposited in the nest, where they are speedily hatched 

 into perfect insects of the worker class, and immediately take ou 



