ROADSIDE LIFE. 



279 



From the sheet of tin make a tray three eighths of 

 an inch in depth. This tray will be a little wider 

 than the panes of glass and will contain them easily. 

 On the upper side of the plank a short distance from 

 the edge, cut a deep furrow. This plank is to form 

 the base of the nest, and the furrow is to serve as a 

 moat, which is to be kept filled with water, in order 

 to prevent the escape of the ants. It is necessary to 

 paint the base with several coats of paint to protect it 

 from water and thus prevent its warping. 



To prepare the nest for use, place the tin tray on 

 the base, put in the tray the square pane of glass, lay 

 on the edges of the glass four strips of wood about 

 one half inch wide and a little thicker than the height 

 of the ants which are to be kept in the nest, cover 

 the glass with a layer of fine earth of the same thick- 

 ness as the strips of wood, place upon this la3-er of 

 earth and the strips of wood the pane of glass from 

 which one corner has been cut, and cover the whole 

 with a cover of the same size and shape as the upper 

 pane of glass. In the nest figured the cover is made 

 of blackened tin, and one half of it is covered bv a 

 board. This gives a variation in temperature in dif- 

 ferent parts of the nest when it stands in the sun- 

 light. 



The ants when established in the nest are to mine 

 in the earth between the two plates of glass. The 

 removal of one corner from the upper pane provides 

 an opening to the nest. The thickness of the strips 

 of wood between the edges of the two panes of glass 

 determines the depth of the layer of earth in which 

 the ants live. This should not be much thicker than 

 the ants are high ; for if it is the ants will be able 



