51 



latter being larger in size and having larger heads than the others. These larger indivi- 

 duals are called soldiers, because they conduct the warlike operations of the community, 

 both offensive and defensive. All the work of the nest is performed by the neuters, such 

 as building, excavating, the procuring of food, and the care of the young. 



This outline gives an idea of the constitution of an ant community as a whole, and 

 the duties pertaining to the several classes of individuals comprised in it. It is a curious 

 fact, however, that notwithstanding the researches of many excellent observers, and 

 though ants' nests swarm in every field and wood, we do not know how these nests are com- 

 menced. Sir John Lubbock says, "Whether the queen joins an old nest, or associates 

 with a certain number of workers to form a new one, or founds a new one for herself, is 

 uncertain. Experiments have been carefully tried with single females, but they have 

 nearly always failed, the queens, when isolated, not seeming to be capable of rearing the 

 larva? to maturity ; and as the inhabitants of old nests usually act in a hostile manner 

 towards females introduced into their nest, even when they are without a queen, it is 

 probable that the founding of a new community is generally the result of a queen being 

 joined by a number of workers. Nests have oeen known to exist for a long time without 

 a queen, the society becoming, in fact, a republic ; and in such a case, it is difficult to 

 induce the ants to accept a new one, and return to the old form of government." 



In the early summer large numbers of winged males and females are produced in the 

 nests, but the pairing time does not arrive until much later in the season. If a nest be 

 opened in midsummer, it will generally be found to contain these winged individuals, 

 mixed with the wingless neuters,* who are said to prevent the others from leaving the 

 nest until the proper time has corne. Then they make their escape into the air, and 

 what is called the "marriage flight" takes place. "Sometimes many nests will unite 

 their swarms, which rise in columns with incredible velocity, and soar to a great height. 

 Each column looks like a kind of slender network, and has a tremulous undulating 

 motion. The noise emitted by myriads and myriads of these creatures does not exceed 

 the hum of a single wasp, and the slightest zephyr disperses them." During this flight 

 pairing is supposed to take place. 



When a new community is formed, the workers immediately begin to prepare a 

 habitation for it, either in the ground, or in whatever situation is in accordance with the 

 instincts of the species. The queen begins to lay eggs, which the workers take charge of, 

 and soon the whole business of the nest is actively in operation. Building is carried on, 

 -food is brought in, the young are safely reared, and the society quickly increases in 

 numbers and prosperity. Unlike the nests of wild bees and wasps, which last only for 

 one season, the settlements of ants may be called permanent, as the same nest is used 

 year after year, and the losses by death and emigration are replaced by natural increase. 

 This is one of the singular analogies which may be traced between the ant and mankind. 

 During winter, in cold countries, the inhabitants must become torpid, as ants live for 

 several years in the perfect state. Sir John Lubbock has had the same individuals in 

 his formicaries for at least seven years, and even then they did not show any signs of old 

 age. 



Some kinds of ants feed wholly, or chiefly, on animal substances, other kinds on 

 vegetable. 



Great numbers of insects are destroyed by them, even in temperate climates, while 

 in the tropics they devour rats and other small animals. In this way they are very 

 useful, and the visitation of certain species in South America is looked upon by the 

 inhabitants as a blessing. These ants travel in vast swarms, enter into the houses, and 

 exterminate in a short time the vermin with which they are infested. To those which 

 live on vegetable substances some of the most interesting species belong. In Canada, 

 with its cold winters, it is not probable that we have any ants which lay up a store of 

 food, as in the cold season the insects are torpid. But in warm climates it is otherwise. 

 In India a species is found Atta provid<?,ns, which not only stores up provisions, but of 



* I opened a nest of Y. fusca on the 25th June last, and found it as above stated. 



