The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-04-23
A Plant and an Ant.

In his history OF the Naturalist in Mica
ragua. Vi. Belt gives an interesting ac-
count Of the oddly-intimate relations ex-
isting between a plant and an ant. The
former Is a species of acacia, called Minio-
"a co77aigsra, and the latter Is known by
the name Of Pseltdonyrnd bicotor. The
tree abounds in the dry savannas OF Cen
tral America. and is there termed the
bulls horn thorn, from the strong
curved thorns shaped like bulls horns,
that are set in pairs AL over the trunk and
branches. When first developed these
thorns are soft and filed with a swectish
pulp that "a most attractive food for the
small brown ants mentioned above. To
gt at this store food, the ants bore a hole
aear the point of one of the horns. and
eat out the interior OF the pair. which
communicate at the iuncture, and thus the
shells are left entirely hollow. BY the time
the tree il well grown. the thorns are large
and strong. and afford most convenient
DWELLING places for the ants that have ex-
cayatcd them. On examination. IL VIII be
found that none of them are left unten-
aned by the ants who swarm out in bel
lcose manner on the slightes, disturbance.
The ants are armed with fierce jaws. and
their bite leaves keen. singing sensation.
When at peace, the little creatures are
lrpetually rowing about over the tree,
| occupied with th-ir specific affairs, and,
al the Same time. acting - a body OF pri-
Vate police, protecting the tree from sur
rounding enemies. The especial foe OF
the Mimosa. as of all vegetationin tropical
America, is the Leaf cutting ant, species
q Oecodoma. This insect cuts the leaves
rom trees in order TO thatch its dwellings
with them, and will. in brief time, rob
wig and branch Of every yestige OF green,
Destroying the life of the plant. III MI
noSa chances not to sustain a colony ofthe
rse'domyrma, il is speedily defoliated by
lhe Occcdoma. Hence ii Is supposed by
haiuralists that the plant has, in the course
q time, been so modified by the action OF
me ants inhabiting IL that IL produces the
iood needed by its protectors in sufficient
Quantities 10 insure their residence upon
" branches. Ii il Is fact confirming
ms hypothesis. that this particular spe-
cles OF Pseudomyrma Is never found upon
any other tree.
The leaves of the Minosa are pennate,
ana at the base of each pair of leaflets, on
lne midrib. Is gland that secrctes hon
ty.like iluid when the leaf is young. OF
.1s the ants are very fond, and by means
di'ir constant presence on the young
raves. and their jealous service in driv-
lug OIL other insects are insured. Anoth-
= wonderful provision for the support OF
aet remains 10 be recorded. At the end
y each OF the small divisions OF the com
FOUND leaflet there grows n small fruit-like
vpuy that, under the microscope, looks
uSe golden pear. When the leaf first
uuioids, the little pears are not quite ripe,
suu Inc ants are very busy going from one
y another to discover when they come to
maturity. As they do not all ripen at once,
w business again serves 10 keep the ants
,uhnlng over the leaves for a considerable
ane- As soon as one of the little pear-lkc
Ooles Is found TO be sufficiently advanced,
.Vne watchful ant bites the point OF at
acninent; then, bending down the prize,
breaks Il of, and bears IL away in triumph
" ts nest in the thorns.