88 WAYS OF THE SIX-FOOTED 



are underground, there is a growth of any sort upon the 

 disks, or roads, it is cut down in the spring and every- 

 thing cleared up. 



These ants, as observed by Mr. McCook, were skillful 

 engineers when cutting down the tough grass. The 

 twisting process was often resorted to in severing a 

 stem ; and the use of the lever seemed to be understood, 

 as they were observed to cut a blade at its base, then 

 climb it to the end, thus bending it over and complet- 

 ing the fracture. The food of these ants is grain of 

 different kinds, which is gathered when ripe, taken to 

 the granaries, hulled, and stored for winter use. These 

 are the ants which take their seeds out to dry after the 

 rains. The grass which they allow to grow on their 

 disks is called " ant rice." The older observers believed 

 that they planted it there, but this is not proven. How- 

 ever, they evidently find it useful, or they would destroy 

 it as they do other grasses. 



The Identity of Interests 



The identity of interests in insect societies is shown 

 in many ways; but perhaps in no better way than by the 

 cheerfulness with which they feed each other and the 

 good nature which they evince toward each other in 

 their crowded nests when carrying on their common 



