PROVISIONS AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS. I09 



nests and care for them at the same time as their own 

 children. In time they come out and constitute a 

 flock easy to tame. Other ants, still more intelligent, 

 have discovered a method of holding the Aphides 

 captive, while allowing them to enjoy their accustomed 

 life, and to feed at will on the foods they prefer on 

 their own favourite spots. It is sufficient for this 

 purpose to establish barriers around a group of cattle 

 who have themselves fixed the place of their sojourn. 

 The Lasius niger, a skilful architect, constructs 

 vaulted passages from his dwelling into the country. 

 These covered roads, built with earth moistened with 

 saliva, have various ends; some have been made in 

 order to reach remote work sheltered from the sun, 

 or to give concealment from enemies. Many lead to 

 the pens of the Aphides; they reach from the ant- 

 hill as far as the foot of a plant where these insects 

 are abundant. In order to have their milkers at their 

 disposal, without removing them from pasture, the 

 ants make tunnels along the stalk, and enclose within 

 it all the Aphides they meet. They thus prevent any 

 desire for a distant ramble. But in order that the 

 flock may not be too closely confined, the Lasius 

 niger enlarge the galleries in places, and make a sort 

 of chamber or stable in which the beasts may disport 

 themselves at ease. These halls, which are pro- 

 portionately very vast, are supported against the 

 branches and leaves of the plant which bears up the 

 walls and the vaults. The captives find themselves 

 then with all the advantages of material life, and may 

 be milked with every facility.^ 



An allied species of ant, the Lasius brunneus, lives 



■■ p. Huber, Recherches sur Us Mcsurs des Fourmis indigenes, pp. 

 176 200. 



