Milch-Cows of the Ants. 109 
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NEST OF LASIUS. 
Neuters About Their Work. 
divers communicating roads, and round about were hundreds 
of ants, larve in various stages of development, pupe and 
eggs, and innumerous flocks of a white aphis, all of which 
were being tenderly cared for by a large army of thoughtful 
nurses, 
No sooner did the intrusion occur than the colony was a 
scene of busy activity. Interested in what was before him, 
the writer seated himself upon a small mound overlooking 
the nest, where could be clearly observed the minutest de- 
tails of ant-life. The neuters were everywhere to be noticed, 
but not a single male or female ant. All the work devolved 
upon the neuters. These were divided into three sets, each 
set having a definite part to perform in the unexpected drama 
before it. Some neuters had the exclusive charge of the 
mature larve, others of the pupe and very young grubs, 
and the rest of their aphidian herds. 
But it is to those that had the care of the aphides that we 
shall particularly invite attention. At the time of the disturb- 
ance, these specialized neuters were busy milking their cows, 
which they did by rubbing their long, pliant feelers against 
