480 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



scarcely equaling the worker cells of the common burrowing 

 wasp of England. 



One of the most remarkable points in the construction of this 

 nest is the entrance. In pensile nests, the insect usually forms 

 the opening below, so that it may be sheltered from the wind and 

 rain. Moreover, it is usually of small dimensions, evidently in 

 order to prevent the inroads of parasitic insects and other foes, 

 and to give the sentinels a small gateway to defend. But the 

 particular Wasp which built this remarkable nest seems to have 

 set every rule at defiance, and to have shown an entire contempt 

 of foes and indifference to rain. 



As may be seen by reference to the illustration, the entrance 

 is extremely long, though not wide, and extends through nearly 

 the length of the nest, so that the edges of the combs can be seen 

 by looking into the aperture. The edges of the entrance are 

 rounded, so that the outer edge is wider than the inner ; but it is 

 still sufficiently wide to allow the little finger of a man's hand to 

 be passed into the interior, while its length is so great that forty 

 or fifty insects might enter or leave the nest together. 



The remarkable fact has already been mentioned that two spe- 

 cies of Wasp will inhabit the same nest, and amicably work at the 

 same edifice. Entomologists have long been aware that two spe- 

 cies of Ant will dwell in the same nest, and live upon friendly 

 terms, although the association of the working part of the com- 

 munity is not voluntary, but compulsory. 



The Ant which employs enforced labor is called the Amazon 

 Ant {Polyergus rufescens), and is tolerably common on the Con- 

 tinent. This insect is not furnished with jaws which are capable 

 of performing the work that usually falls to the lot of the neuters, 

 but the same length and sharpness of the mandibles which unfit 

 the insect for work, render it eminently capable of warfare. When, 

 therefore, a colony of the Amazon Ants is about to establish it- 

 self, the insects form themselves into an army, and set off on a 

 slave-hunting expedition. 



There are at least two species of Ant which act as servants to 

 the Amazon Ants, the one being named Formica fusca, and the 

 other Formica cunicularia ; and to the nests of one or other of 

 these insects the Amazons direct their march. 



As soon as they reach the nest, they penetrate into all its re- 

 cesses, in spite of opposition, and search every corner for their 



