The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1843-01-06
OTTAWA.II.LINOIS, FRIDAY, JANUARY g. l843.


absolutely possess the art of making them
yield it at their pleasure; or in other
words, of milking them. On this occa-
sion. their antennT (feelers) are their fin
gers with these they pat the abdomen Of
the aphis. on each side alternately, mo-
wing them very busily; little drop of
fluid Immediately appears, which the ant
takes into its mouth, one species, { Mr.
mica rubra, conducting it with its anten-
nm. which are somewhat swelled at the
end. When it has thus MIXED one, it
proceeds to another, and so on, till being
saiia,cd, il returns TO the nest.
Not only the ophides yield this repasl
to the ants, but also the c0cci, with whom
they have recourse to similar maunuvers,
and with equal success, only in this case,
the movement Of the antcnnT over thei
body may be compared to the thrill Of the
finger over the keys of piano forte.
But You arc not arrived at the mos,
singular part of this hlsiory-that ants
make property Of these cows, Cor the
possession Of which they contend with
great caruesiuoss, and use every means TO
keep them TO themselves. Sometimes
they seem to claim right to the aphides
that inhabt the branches of tree or the
stalks of plant: and, if stranger ants al
tempt 10 share their treasure with them,
they cndeavor to drive them away, and
may be seen running about in great hustle,
and exhibiting every symiom Of soliclude
and anger.-S0mctimc to rescue them
from their rivals, they take their aphiles
in their mouth, they generally keep guard
around them and when the branch is
conveniently situated, they have recourse
to M expcdient still more enectual to keep
OFF in,cropers--they enclose 1t in tube
Of earth or other materials. and thus con-
fine them to a kind of paddock near the
nest, and often communicating with it.
The greatest cow-lccper Of all the ants,
is one to he met with in oar pastures
,England,) residing in hcmisphcnial for
IliIf lIF, W l1NIl Spl'!INIlllNS VI ihil'i7
derablc diameter. mean the yellow ant
ot Gould. This species, which is not
fond Of roaming from home, and likes To
have all its conveniences within reach,
usually collects in its nest large herd Of
a kind olaphis, that derives its nutrimeni
from the roots Of grass and other plants
these it transports from the ncghboring
roots, probably by subterranean galleries
excavaled for the purpose, leading from
the nest in all directions ; and thus, with
ont going ont. it has always on hand a
copions supply offood. These creatures
share its care and solcltude equally with
its own offspring. To the eggs i, pays
particular attention, moioieuing them with
its tongue, carrying them in its mouth
with the utmost tenderness, and giving
them the advantage Of the sun.
Our yellow ants are equally careful OF
their aphides. After they are Matched,
when their nest is disturbed, conveying
them into the interior, fighting licrcely fol
them, if the inhabitants Of neighboriua
rormcayies, as is sometimes the case, al
tempt TO make them their prey, and car
rying them about in their mouths tc
change their pasture, or for some olhei
purpose. When you consider that from
them they receive almost the whole nutri
mcnt for themselves and larvT, YOU will
not wonder Il, their anxiety about them
since the wealth and prosperity Of th'
commonly sin proportion to the humble
Of their cattle.