200 
TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. 
nest are stuck into the ground, and are so piled up one upon the 
other as to prevent the effects of a sudden and violent shock ; 
above all this the tiny beams are laid in stages, one over the 
other, and in some parts of the nest the intervals between them are 
filled up with such substances as earth, grains, and dried leaves. 
It is the presence of these grains — which are used by ants as 
materials with which to construct their nests — that has given rise 
to the idea that these insects collect provisions for the rainy day. 
But ants do not eat wheat or grains of any kind ; their nourishment 
consists of more or less fluid or soft substances, and these supposed 
wise and economical creatures do not store up, but live from day 
to day from hand to mouth, and, like most insects, become stupid 
and hybernate when winter arrives. 
If a nest of red ants is examined at different times during 
the day, a constant succession of alterations will be seen to be 
going on. Very early in the morning everything seems quiet about 
the nest, and there are no openings visible, but there are some 
small cracks which might allow the ants to get out by undergoing 
a tight squeeze. Then a few of the insects begin to show them- 
selves, and run over the dome of the nest, and they appear to be 
just awake; gradually they increase in numbers, and then some 
of them are noticed carrying and bringing little bits of stick, 
whilst others are clearing out and sweeping the passages to the 
nest. Should it happen to be fine weather, many large openings, 
which communicate with the principal galleries, are soon made 
outside the nest, and then the whole population becomes actively 
engaged, and each individual appears to have something to do. 
When the evening comes, the insects shut up the nest, and close 
the passages, and do everything to enable themselves to pass a 
quiet night after their labours, by rendering their house secure 
against violence and invasion. Should heavy rain come on during 
the daytime, the ants, fearing that water might get inside their 
nest, hasten to close its openings, and every member of the 
swarm appears to be impressed with the necessity of doing its 
best, and all sorts of materials are brought at once to shut the 
water out, and to place the erection in safety. 
Pierre Huber was the first naturalist who made a careful 
study of these proceedings, which seem to be produced by 
