30 ON THE " AGRICULTURAL ANT " OF TEXAS. 



The chaff is taken out and thrown beyond the limits of the paved 

 area. 



" During protracted wet weather, it sometimes happens that the 

 provision stores become damp, and are liable to sprout and spoil. 

 In this case, on the first fine day the ants bring out the damp and 

 damaged grain, and expose it to the sun till it is dry, when they 

 carry it back and pack away all the sound seeds, leaving those that 

 had sprouted to waste. 



" In a peach-orchard not far from my house is a considerable 

 elevation, on which is an extensive bed of rock. In the sand-beds 

 overlying portions of this rock are fine cities of the Agricultural 

 Ants, evidently very ancient. My observations on their manners 

 and customs have been limited to the last twelve years, during 

 which time the enclosure surrounding the orchard has prevented 

 the approach of cattle to the ant-farms. The cities which are 

 outside of the enclosure as well as those protected in it are, at the 

 proper season, invariably planted with the ant-rice. The crop 

 may accordingly always be seen springing up within the circle 

 about the 1st of November every year. Of late years however, 

 since the number of farms and cattle has greatly increased, and 

 the latter are eating off the grass much closer than formerly, thus 

 preventing the ripening of the seeds, I notice that the ' Agricul- 

 tural Ant ' is placing its cities along the turn-rows in the field*, 

 walks in gardens, inside about the gates, &c, where they can cul- 

 tivate their farms without molestation from the cattle. 



" There can be no doubt of the fact, that the particular species of 

 grain-bearing grass mentioned above is intentionally planted. In 

 farmer-like manner the ground upon which it stands is carefully 

 divested of all other grasses and weeds during the time it is grow- 

 ing. When it is ripe the grain is taken care of, the dry stubble 

 cut away and carried off, the paved area being left unencumbered 

 until fche ensuing autumn, when the same 'ant-rice' reappears 

 within the same circle, and receives the some agricultural attention 

 as was bestowed upon the previous crop, — and so on year after 

 \( ar, as I know to be t he ease, in all situations where the ants' 

 settlement! are protected from graminivorous animals." 



In a second Letter, Dr. Lincecum in reply fco an inquiry from 

 Mr. Darwin, whether he supposed that the ants plant seeds for 

 the ensuing crop, says, " L have not the slightest doubt of it. 

 And my conclusions have not been arrived at from hasty or care- 

 less observation, nor from seeing the; ants do something that 

 looked a little like it, and then guessing at the results. J havo at 



