of the house in which I resided. I carefully observed the excursions
of the Amazons, and one day remarked, they directed their route to a
deserted ant-hill: the ants who had previously occupied it, pillaged
doubtless too often by their so much dreaded neighbours, had taken
the precaution of decamping with arms and baggage. The Amazons, who
were perhaps badly lodged, profited by this circumstance. After having
visited it, they returned, took up in their mouths the Negro Ants of
the mixed ant-hill, and transported them to the new habitation. This
operation lasted some hours, and the emigration was completely effected
in this manner.
In this instance I saw the inverse of what I had hitherto observed, but
never experienced the gratification of witnessing a repetition. The
Amazons carried the Ash-coloured Ants as the latter usually carry them.
The whole colony being transferred to the new lodging, they there
rested, and each species again returned to their ordinary duties.
We see, from this example, that it is highly probable the Amazons know
more than they would seem to know; and if we have seen them perish
of hunger rather than take the trouble of providing for themselves,
we must attribute it to the custom of their receiving nourishment
immediately from the Ash-coloured Ants, and never going themselves in
search of it.
Those who live in small numbers with their maternal parent, not being
as yet accustomed to an idle life, do not, probably, confine themselves
to the sole occupation of war, but engage in domestic duties; for
during a certain period, the ant-hill is entirely composed of Amazons.
But when their number shall have given them confidence, they are then
seen to sally forth to procure the pupæ of the Ash-coloured and Mining
Ants; which, under their management, become auxiliaries and useful
companions. These are only conjectures, and perhaps very distant from
the truth. I know, however, of none more plausible to explain the
formation of new Amazon ant-hills.
As to the preservation of compound ant-hills, I believe it consists,
as in all other ant-hills, in reserving some pregnant females to keep
up the population. I have often seen in these habitations, and in
all seasons, females destitute of wings. I opened, in the middle of
April, some of these dwellings, where I found a considerable number of
eggs, agglutinated together, assiduously guarded by Negro Ants. I also
noticed some Amazon females, surrounded by the same guardians. They
inhabited the most elevated part of the building, and the eggs were
collected near them. In the month of June I first perceived the male
pupæ in their enveloping membrane; their larvæ being in the number of
those that spin: the female pupæ were rather later in appearing. They
were liberated from their envelope, by the Negro labourers, in the
same manner as the pupæ of Ash-coloured and Mining Ants, a little time
before their last transformation. It is only in the month of July they
pass into that state which puts them in a condition for flying. The
pupæ of the Amazon Labourers were at that time very numerous in all
their nests, but I no longer found there the pupæ of Ash-coloured and
Mining Ants. The pupæ which the Legionaries had purloined the preceding
year, were developed before autumn; their last invasions occurring
in September. These warrior ants have only two months and a half to
collect all the pupæ of which they stand in need. The temperature is
often sufficiently high in May and the beginning of June to allow of
their departure; they do not, however, venture abroad until their males
are on the point of undergoing their transformation: they sometimes
leave the nest individually, and are then always stopped by the
Negroes, who bring them back to the ant-hill. I know not from what
motive this conduct on the part of the auxiliaries arises; I have often
remarked it, and it is a certain fact, that the Legionaries never go to
pillage before that period. If they began earlier to purloin the larvæ
and pupæ belonging to the Negro Ants, they would make great booty; it
would, however, be in a great degree composed of the pupæ of males and
females, and these it seems, they are not permitted to seize. Nature,
aware of the serious inconveniencies that would arise from an attack
made at this time by the Amazons, particularly guards against it, by
producing the males and females of those ant-hills destined to pillage
at a much earlier period than the males and females of the martial
ants, and in not permitting the latter to be engaged in acts of rapine,
until the metamorphosis of the winged insects has taken place.
The Ash-coloured and Mining Ants, are to be considered then as the
negroes of the Amazons; it is from among them the latter procure
slaves; they kidnap them at an age when their instinct is not
developed; and these insects, on being brought up by the Amazons,
divide with them the fruit of their industry. Can we sufficiently
admire the prudence and wisdom these insects display in the
establishment of such an institution! We here trace neither servitude
nor oppression, nor do the ants themselves, taken from perhaps twenty
different dwellings, entertain the slightest suspicion of their being
in a foreign nest: they live under the same roof in brotherly and
sisterly union, and if they regard the Amazons, it is but to show
them greater attention. Nature, profound in her combinations, seems
fully aware that old ants would never live sociably with those of
another species, but that young ants may, especially if they have been
accustomed in early life to see and receive from them some attention.
She seems, also, aware, that no aversion is excited in the breasts of
those who witness their birth. It is in this way, she has instituted
mixed or compound ant-hills: it is on this account the Amazons in their
expeditions never carry off adult ants, only larvæ and pupæ; for the
same reason, they never seek the destruction of their enemies, their
only aim being to steal from them their little ones.
An important truth relative to the moral condition of these insects,
rests upon these facts--that their instinct is capable of receiving
several modifications. Ants, carried away in their youth, may become
familiar, and even live with an hostile species; it is in the first
period of their life those impressions are formed which they always
preserve. The very same objects that would naturally have excited their
hatred, now only inspire them with a sentiment of love.
CHAP. X.
ESTABLISHMENT OF A MIXED ANT-HILL IN A GLASS APPARATUS.
I had often established, with success, artificial ant-hills, and am
indebted to them for several interesting observations on the Fallow,
Yellow, and other ants. I now resolved upon making the attempt of
fixing, in an apparatus of the same kind, a colony of Amazon Ants, with
their auxiliaries. The knowledge I had already acquired upon mixed
ant-hills greatly facilitated my views. In describing the particulars
of this experiment, the manners of these two species will be completely
developed.
I constructed an apparatus, to which, for the sake of abridgement, I
shall, as formerly, give the name of _ruche_. It consisted of a double
vertical frame, twenty inches in length, by ten in depth, glazed on
both sides; the distance between the two frames was only ten lines. I
found this, however, too great, and, therefore, lessened it by placing
a sheet of tin, drilled in numerous places, parallel with the two
glasses. On the fore-part of the _ruche_ was a vertical portcullis,
which could be raised or lowered at will, thus answering as a door.
(This apparatus should not be raised upon feet, like those I have
before described, but should be so constructed as to rest immediately
upon the earth, by means of two very strong _liteaux_, inserted in
the bottom of the _ruche_, and projecting, on each side.) Two wooden
shutters excluded the light, and several holes, drilled in the upper
part of the apparatus, allowed of my presenting honey to the ants,
or pouring water into the interior, as often as it should be judged
necessary. It was in this _ruche_, of which we may see a figure in
Plate 1. that I thought of establishing a mixed ant-hill; and was
desirous the ants should settle there of their own accord. To render
them less sensible of the singularity of their abode, I filled the
lower half of this apparatus with fine and slightly moistened earth,
and deposited honey in several places.
These preparations being finished, I chose one of the most populous
mixed ant-hills, in which were many males and young Amazon females. I
removed a great part of this nest, placed it in a large linen bag, and
then carried it to my study.
I established between my prisoners, and the lodging they were to occupy
a free communication by means of a little canal of wood glazed on its
upper surface, having one of its extremities inserted into the bag,
and the other into the door of the _ruche_. This done, I left the ants
to themselves. On the following morning I saw some of the Ash-coloured
Ants leave the bag and enter the _ruche_ through the glazed canal. In
the evening more passed. The second day they commenced carrying each
other into the apparatus. Their number augmented hourly. At length the
canal scarcely sufficed for the crowd of insects going and returning;
it was obstructed by the recruits, and these were, for the most part,
engaged in transporting the Legionary Ants from the bag to the _ruche_.
Having this glazed conduit, I was not obliged to open the shutters
to see what was passing. The advantage of this arrangement was, that
of not alarming the ants, whilst it assured me of their forming an
establishment in the artificial ant-hill, preparing lodgings there, and
removing the useless materials, such as flints or pebbles, and pieces
of earth too dry to be put in work. I found from this, that it was
necessary to moisten the earth in the interior, and, therefore, poured
water through the holes in the upper part of the apparatus, which
completely answered (as will be presently seen) all my wishes.
By the fourth day, the whole of the ants appeared to know the road,
and had ceased to carry each other. But as I observed many re-enter
the bag, I was fearful they might take the whim of fixing themselves
there: I, therefore, obliged them to return into the _ruche_. With this
view, I separated the bag from the glazed canal, and scattered gently
all the earth it contained upon the floor near the artificial ant-hill.
I constructed all around a brick wall, and reduced between my fingers
the several clods; so that the ants could not conceal themselves. I
then re-fixed one end of the glazed canal to the door of the _ruche_,
placing the other end on the ground; forming an inclined plane, in
such a way that the ants could go out and find their companions
roving in the enclosure. The Ash-coloured Ants actually descended by
this passage, and immediately brought back into their new abode the
stragglers. They looked for them in every corner, visited the smallest
clod of earth, examined scrutinously the remains of their former nest,
and thence drew their companions of both species, taking them up in
their mouths and transporting them immediately to the _ruche_. This
operation finished, I went out to find the rest of the nest which I
had left in the field, and then dispersed it in my study; a few of
the Ash-coloured, or Negro Ants, in the _ruche_, perceiving fresh
arrivals wandering about the floor, came out, and carried them into
the new habitation. I was much astonished on seeing several ants leave
the apparatus at the same time, as if they had been told there were
many ants still to bring in. They immediately put themselves to work,
constantly arriving with their companions of both species suspended
by their mandibles, or setting off in file to seek those who still
remained unsheltered: whilst these were thus engaged, their companions
constructed galleries in the heap of earth I had brought in, and
disengaged a great number of labourers, larvæ, and pupæ, which were
there imprisoned. They worked with indefatigable activity. I was struck
by their zeal. They brought to my recollection those famous dogs, who
appear associated in charity with their masters, for the purpose of
extricating from underneath the snow of the Alps engulphed travellers.
The Legionary Ants took no active part in this interesting scene: the
Negro Ants were particularly careful of them, often conducting them
into the interior of the nest, but sometimes contenting themselves with
laying them down at the entrance of the glazed canal, going immediately
in search of others. The Rufescent Ant, in this case, remained, for
a moment, curled up, without movement; it then unrolled itself, and
looked around, on all sides, without knowing where it was, or what
direction it should take. I saw it, then, approach the Ash-coloured
Ants, and implore their assistance, by the aid of its antennæ, until
one that had little to do, seized and carried it into the nest.
In eight days the _ruche_ was completely peopled, and I was in hopes
I had acquired a sure means of observing what passed in the interior
of these singular republics. I hastened, then, to submit it to the
proof. For this purpose, I carried out my _ruche_, and placed it upon
the grass, allowing its inhabitants the full liberty of leaving it. I
confess this was not done without some degree of apprehension; for I
might thus lose, in one moment, the fruit of all my care; but I was
encouraged by the hope that the Ash-coloured Ants attached to their
work, would not abandon it so readily.
The first day, the Negro Ants, availing themselves of their liberty,
visited the environs of their abode. They returned, just as I could
wish. Some individual Amazons, also, went out, but were quickly brought
back by their auxiliaries. On the day following, the Ash-coloured Ants
guarded their door very assiduously; they heaped up many pieces of
stone, &c. to narrow it, and thus oppose the entrance of certain ants
attracted thither by the odour of the honey. They went, also, in search
of the _pucerons_.
In the evening, the air being extremely warm, and the sun shining
upon the ant-hill, I saw the Amazons prepare for an expedition. The
whole army descended by means of the glazed canal. The signal being
given, they set forward in an entire body, and fell upon a nest of
Ash-coloured Ants, situated a few paces from the _ruche_. The Amazons
returned with the success usually attending these incursions. Each
disposed of his load at the door of the artificial ant-hill, into
which the Ash-coloured Ants immediately introduced it. The warlike
ants returned directly to carry off the rest of the larvæ; and, as it
was only a trifling distance to the scene of pillage an uninterrupted
chain of Amazons was established; some going to seek the pupæ, whilst
others were bearing them away. At length they re-entered their own
habitation, but came out in a quarter of an hour, and made their last
attack upon the ant-hill, purloining, this time but a very few larvæ,
and retiring tranquilly to the _ruche_.
I was greatly pleased on seeing the Amazons return to the artificial
ant-hill, and confide their booty to their auxiliaries. This was a
flattering omen for the success of my experiment, and from this period
I indulged the hope of seeing the manners and habits of these insects
fully developed. That I might not alarm them by the introduction of
a strong light before they had fully established themselves in the
_ruche_, the shutters were kept, for some time, completely closed.
I was, however, extremely impatient to witness the interior, and it
was now time to ascertain the extent of their labours, and observe
the immediate consequences attending the capture of the pupæ. When
I opened the shutters, I was agreeably surprised in viewing, at one
glance, the whole of the interior of the ant-hill. The ants had mined
the entire mass of earth. The glass, on one side, and the sheet of
tin on the other, served as walls to the several chambers they had
excavated. All their passages, their halls, even to the smallest
apartments, were distinctly visible. They constituted irregular
stories, some larger than others, the former were of greater elevation,
the latter more elongated or narrowed. It was evident the ants had
_mined_, and not _masoned_, or worked up the earth: what they had drawn
from the interior, was heaped up upon the last ceiling or roof. The
walls were rendered so compact and solid as to run little risk of being
thrown down by the weight of the materials they supported.
Here the pupæ and larvæ were collected in the large chambers. There
the Amazon army was stationed. In another place, the main body
of auxiliaries were assembled. I had scarcely time to make these
observations, the ants being much alarmed by the sudden introduction
of the light. The Amazons left their garrison, and ran over the glass,
but re-assembled, in a short time, in the most elevated part of the
building, and formed themselves in groups close to the vault or roof.
The Negro Ants, at the same moment, seized the larvæ and pupæ, carried
them to the darkest places, passed through the holes in the sheet
of tin, and reached the side opposite to that where I was taking my
observations, the shutter of which had not been opened. By degrees, I
was enabled so to manage the light that it should no longer alarm these
insects, or at least so triflingly, that tranquillity might be speedily
restored. I could thus follow them in their operations (which was
absolutely necessary) at my ease.
The Amazons always grouped on or affixed to the ceiling of their
underground chambers[1], did not quit their position, but to
approach the Ash-coloured Ants, whose assistance was a point of vital
importance. I saw none of them approach the larvæ or pupæ, or touch
the provisions I had placed within reach; nor did meat and honey ever
tempt them. I witnessed, in its fullest extent, the great care with
which the auxiliaries treated them; the latter were constantly occupied
in nourishing and brushing them; carrying them from one quarter of the
ant-hill to another; conducting them where the temperature was highest,
reassembling them with their companions, &c. I also observed a large
body of the auxiliaries surrounding a Rufescent female without wings,
for whom they expressed great solicitude; the rest of the males and
females were on the outside of the ant-hill, attended by a numerous
_cortége_ of Ash-coloured Ants, and by some Amazons; they soon took
flight and were never seen to return.
[1] The ceiling or roof of the chambers in which these insects are
lodged, appears to constitute their favourite residence. This I found
to be the case with some female ants I kept in confinement. It is
highly probable this position against gravity is maintained by means of
an apparatus similar to what Sir Everard Home has observed in regard
to the house-fly, of which he has given a full description, in the
_Philosophical Transactions_, for 1816. It is, no doubt, upon this
principle, that ants are enabled to walk perpendicularly up walls,
bearing in their pincers insects (of which we have many instances)
considerably larger and heavier than themselves.--T.
Every day the Legionaries made fresh incursions on the neighbouring
ant-hills, and thus considerably increased the number of their pupæ:
but when once placed within the _ruche_ they were no longer the objects
of their attention. It was now the business of the auxiliaries to
attend and convey them to the different chambers, which is regulated
by the hour of the day and direction of the sun. Some of the pupæ were
still enveloped in their cocoon; others had been extricated from them:
the Negro Ants often came, notwithstanding my presence, to liberate
them from their imprisonment. The cocoon of the Amazon pupæ, consisted
of a browner silk than that of the Ash-coloured pupæ, and was also
one third longer; but their number did not equal those of the pupæ of
the other cast. The larvæ of both species were placed in different
apartments, for they had, without doubt, wants relative to their age;
but the Ash-coloured Ants alone took care of and nourished them, &c.
I once, however, saw an Amazon engaged in removing the last pellicle
from one of the Ash-coloured pupæ; the Amazon took it up with the same
delicacy as other ants, and the labourer, the object of its care,
evinced no symptom of fear on its being so close to this warrior, who
did it no injury, and left it as soon as it was liberated. This affords
another instance, that the Amazons are not absolutely unqualified for
labour.
The _ruche_ exhibited a greater population every day, and a
considerable number of Ash-coloured Ants was developed there: these
I recognised by their grey colour. I also saw young Amazon Ants,
which were a little paler in colour than the old of the same species;
both received every attention from the auxiliaries. Tranquillity and
unanimity reigned in this mixed colony. The ants appeared perfectly
happy in their abode, yet thought, however, of quitting it. The
Ash-coloured species, wearied perhaps by the frequent opening and
closing of the shutters, began to emigrate, and formed a little cavity
in the turf, a few paces from the _ruche_. I deranged their operations
and suspended their emigrations, by placing the _ruche_ in another
situation; but some days after they discovered another dwelling, and
recommenced their recruiting, when I took the precaution of closing
the door, and bringing the artificial ant-hill back to my study. I
there kept it a considerable time, and the confirmation was greater,
from day to day, of what I had hitherto acquired. When the weather
was favourable, (between the hours of three and five), I took it out
and placed it on the grass, and always observed the Legionaries pay a
visit to the neighbouring ant-hills. At length, expecting no further
information, I resolved upon trying an experiment I had frequently
meditated, and as often dismissed, on account of my close attachment
to my prisoners: this was to bring into immediate combat two Legionary
armies.
With this view I waited till I saw the Amazon Ants, inhabiting another
mixed ant-hill, which was situated in the garden, quit it; when I
hastened to place my artificial ant-hill full in front of their
advancing column. After a trifling combat, which took place at the
door of the _ruche_, those in the interior went out in force, when
the enemy’s column appeared desirous to avoid battle, taking at first
another direction, then returning and re-entering their nest. Several
ants from the _ruche_ put themselves in pursuit: some went even as
far as the enemy’s garrison, where they were retained; two or three
only escaped, and these I observed returned in great haste. The entire
army now left the _ruche_, and proceeded to the mixed ant-hill; I
looked forward to a general battle, but when the column had arrived to
within a few paces of the entrance, it fell back, with the exception
of a small body, composed of about three hundred Legionary Ants, who
continued their route, until they reached the ant-hill. The Amazons
assembled on the surface appeared extremely agitated, as if they had
foreseen the attack with which they were threatened. The combatants
fought body to body; but the strangers threw themselves into a gallery
with so much impetuosity, that the others could not restrain them. This
courageous incursion did not succeed; they all perished, not however,
without making great havoc; for when I saw the Amazons of the natural
ant-hill resume their expeditions, I found their army reduced to one
half its original number. The _ruche_ had not suffered so great a
diminution. I replaced it upon the grass, and allowed the Ash-coloured
Ants the liberty of emigrating, which they did, in the manner we have
already described.
CHAP. XI.
HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE SANGUINE ANTS.
The Sanguine Ants present us compound ant-hills of a different kind.
From their analogy to the Legionary Ants, they will be found to
corroborate the preceding facts, and will still elucidate this subject,
by the contrast of their conduct with that of the Legionaries, who pass
from a state of combat to a state of ease.