28 
NATURE’S CRAFTSMEN 
death of the weaker, unless Chance sends a com¬ 
rade to snatch and make away with the cause of 
the trouble. Frequently this ends matters, for 
the ants’ concern is not really for themselves, you 
know, but for the cause they serve. Ants from 
the same colony never quarrel. Two scouts on 
meeting always cross antennae, the object being, 
of course, to establish their identity, which scien¬ 
tists claim is accomplished by smell. If of the 
same clan, each goes her way after the brief in¬ 
quiry; if not, there is quite likely to be a serious 
scrap, that is, if either one bears a bit of proven¬ 
der. Not infrequently two whole colonies en¬ 
gage in battle, and the victors force their oppo¬ 
nents to be their slaves henceforth.” 
“ Ants and bees are cousins, aren’t they,” 
queried Mabel, “ and have much the same family 
life? ” 
“ Yes. But there is this difference: Ants 
marry for life, and after the marriage flight is 
taken the royal pair tear off their wings. They 
will never leave their home again alive. The 
workers, of course, are wingless. And, in addi¬ 
tion to the workers, the ant colonies are supplied 
with a band of soldiers. These fellows may be 
distinguished by their larger size, and by their 
great head and powerful jaws. They are usually 
to be found on guard about their city, and nearly 
always a certain number accompany the large 
