130 HOME STUDIES IN NATURE. 



into the city, while the soldier was immediately sur- 

 rounded by a horde of the invading foe. She fought 

 valiantly, and killed many, but sometimes succumbed to 

 the overpowering numbers ; more frequently she freed 

 herself and escaped, not back to the city, but by climb- 

 ing the nearest object — a stem of clover or grass — where 

 the enemy never followed. Several soldiers escaped in 

 this manner, and remained concealed until the defeated 

 army returned to its quarters. 



A good illustration of the care and sympathy which 

 the members of a colony of Pheidoles have for each 

 other was manifested in an artificial formicary, arranged 

 by the Rev. Mr. Morris, and placed upon his study table. 

 The formicary was in a glass jar, about two-thirds full 

 of earth. The outside of the jar, as far as the earth 

 extended, was encircled with paper, to exclude the 

 light, in order that the ants might build their galleries 

 and rooms next to the glass. 



The colony soon became reconciled to their strange 

 home, learning to come out of the jar and pass down 

 the legs of the table to visit any part of the study and 

 return. The workers had no difficulty in ascending the 

 glass, but the large -headed soldiers could not get up 

 without assistance. They would go as far as the paper 

 extended, and fall back with every attempt to scale 

 the smooth glass. Their large heads were a detriment 

 rather than a help in such a novel emergency as this. 

 And now the little workers, who had always looked 

 to the Amazon soldiers for help in all trying circum- 



