: 
 1878.] Mound-Making Ants of the Alleghenies. 437 
ing way. Tapping upon a hill whose inmates were ina particu- 
larly “ nervous ” condition, the ants issued in excited hordes not 
only from the doors of the mound, but from various points on the 
surrounding surface. Taking a principal centre of excitement, 
four or five feet distant, a stone underneath which was an entrance 
to the galleries, I again agitated the ground. The ants as before 
issued from the surrounding surface, chiefly upon a line run- 
ning eastward, up the slope. At the limit of excitement, which 
was something less than before, I once more agitated the stones 
and earth with like results. Thus I traced this surface gallery 
eastward about 60 ft., where the excitement under the above treat- 
ment ceased at an oak tree. I am satisfied that as a rule the cen- 
tral formicary or hill communicates with the trees which serve for . 
feeding grounds, by galleries as long as or much longer than this. 
Adding Stories —On the east and west sides of the hill, several 
inches from the top, deep fissures had been cut, looking like sun 
cracks, the lower edges of which were being built up, and the up- 
per bent over. An additional story was thus being added to the 
cone. Here grass-straws were strewn over the summit, and others 
which I threw upon the’ hill were dragged into place and utilized 
with skill. This story was well nigh completed by Monday morn- 
ing. The building was carried forward (and such was the case on 
the large hill and on others observed), by erecting warts or small 
cones upon the surface and around the openings or doors of the 
galleries, and filling between them. I could trace the evident 
outlines of galleries laid out. . 
Entrances or Doors.—The principal entrances to the formicary 
are at the foot of the hill, They are commonly placed around 
the entire circumference of the mound, and are arranged in two, 
three, or more circular rows, one above another. At certain points 
where, apparently, there is need of an especial vomitory, the gates 
are much multiplied. Besides these, there are openings at irregu- 
lar intervals upon the entire surface of the cone. These are not 
numerous, but sufficiently so to allow easy approach to and exit 
from the more elevated portions of the mound. The main depend- 
ence appears to be upon the lower gateways. It would seem, at- 
first thought, that there could be no real necessity for so many 
doors; but one who has witnessed the rapidity with which the 
myriads of workers swarm upon the surface when their nest is 
attacked will at once perceive the economy of these numerous a 
