548 Saw-flies, Gall-flies, Ichneumons, 
and its auxiliary, Formica schaujussi (Proc. Phil. Acad. Sci., 1880, p. 376 
et seq.). 
The observation and study of ants’ ways must be partly done in the 
field, but, thanks to the obliging manner in which most species will readily 
live in artificial nests prepared for them indoors, much intensely interesting 
work in the study of ants can be done on one’s own reading-table. Several 
types of artificial formicaries (ants’ nests) have been devised, one by Lub¬ 
bock, another by Forel, another by Janet, another by White, etc., any one 
of which seems to give good results. Professor Comstock gives the follow¬ 
ing directions for making a Lubbock nest: “The principal materials needed 
for the construction of a nest of this kind are two panes of window-glass ten 
inches square, a sheet of tin n inches square, and a piece of plank 1} inches 
thick, 20 inches long, and at least 16 inches wide. 
“To make the nest, proceed as follows: Cut a triangular piece about 
1 inch long on its two short sides from one corner of one of the panes of glass. 
From the sheet of tin make a tray § of an inch in depth. This tray will be 
a little wider than the panes of glass and will contain them easily. On the 
upper side of the plank a short distance from the edge cut a deep furrow. 
This plank is to form the base of the nest, and the furrow is to serve as a 
moat, which is to be kept filled with water in order to prevent the escape 
of the ants. It is necessary to paint the base with several coats of paint to 
protect it from water and thus prevent its warping. 
“To prepare the nest for use, place the tin tray on the base, put in the 
tray the square pane of glass, lay on the edges of the glass four strips of wood 
about ^ inch wide and a little thicker than the height of the ants which are 
to be kept in the nest, cover the glass with a layer of fine earth of the same 
thickness as the strips of wood, place upon this layer of earth and the strips 
of wood the pane of glass from which one corner has been cut, and cover the 
whole with a cover of the same size and shape as the upper pane of glass. 
In the nest figured the cover is made of blackened tin, and one-half of it is 
covered by a board. This gives a variation in temperature in different parts 
of the nest when it stands in the sunlight. 
“The ants when established in the nest are to mine in the earth between 
the two plates of glass. The removal of one corner from the upper pane 
provides an opening to the nest. The thickness of the strips of wood between 
the edges of the two panes of glass determines the depth of the layer of earth 
in which the ants live. This should not be much thicker than the ants are 
high; for, if it is, the ants will be able to conceal themselves so that they can¬ 
not be observed. 
“ The nest being prepared, the next step is to transfer a colony of ants to it. 
The things needed with which to do this are a two-quart glass fruit-can, or 
some similar vessel that can be closed tightly, a clean vial, and a garden 
