APPENDIX. 253 



rabi" are only found on the surface of the garden, and 

 form the principal food of the ants ; they have no doubt 

 reached their present form under the cultivation and selec- 

 tion of the ants. The fungus was found to belong to the 

 genus Rozites, and the species was named R. gongyhphora. 

 A microscopic examination of the particles of which the 

 garden is composed shows that they contain remains of 

 leaves ; bits of epidermis, stomata, spiral vessels, etc., occur 

 in them. 



If a nest is broken into and the fungus garden scattered, 

 the ants collect it as quickly as possible, especially the 

 younger parts, taking as much trouble over it as over the 

 larvae. They also cover it up again as soon as possible to 

 protect it from the light. A nest, i metre x 50 cm., was 

 opened, and in twenty-four hours the ants had put on a 

 new roof 10 cm. deep. 



Some ants' nests were placed under a bell jar and 

 supplied with leaves; they made no use of them and 

 presently died. If they were supplied with a piece of 

 "garden," they rebuilt it and covered it so far as they 

 could. It was seen to shrink from day to day, the ants 

 bringing out the old pieces and adding them to the wall ; 

 finally it was exhausted and the ants died. Others were 

 starved for five days, and then supplied with a bit of 

 garden ; they at once began to eat the Kohl-rabi clumps. 

 Finally, by supplying the ants with bits of garden, a damp 

 sandy floor, and fresh leaves, they were induced to build in 

 captivity. The dish in which they worked was covered by 

 a glass lid, and when this was covered with a dark cloth 

 or otherwise kept dark, the ants built under it without 

 covering the garden. In this way the whole process was 

 observed. An ant bringing in a piece of leaf proceeds to 

 cut it into halves, repeating the process till it has got a 

 very small piece left, which it holds between its fore feet 

 and turns round, crushing it in its jaws until the whole is 

 reduced to a round ball of pulp about ,25 mm. thick. 



