Connecticut western news., 1885-03-18

| told nm that one family Of ants had stings as well as poison-bags.
 Tom had observed on the backs of some of the ants when unswathed, and just above the breathing holes, two pairs of delicate wings, while the greater num- Der had none. He learned, on inquiry, that the winged insects were kings and queens, and those without wings, com mon workers.
 On reminding the guide that the queen they saw little while ago had no wings, she said: "You are quite right, Master Sharp-eyes. But she once had wings, and I'll tell you how she lost them. The wings of the king and queen are for the weddingtrip only. The king dies, or is killed off on his re- turn, while the queen strips of her wings and sets seriously to her life.work of laying eggs; and that is how she loses her wings. See there they go for the wedding-trip r
 Tom turned, and saw two rather ele- gant- looking ants, with wings half raised, making toward the door of the nest. He and the guide followed just in time to wish them much happiness, as they flew away through the sunlight air. ...
 Tom, seeing himself at the main door again, and thinking he had trespassed quite long enough on the kindness of his ant-friend, turned to thank her, and to send also message of thanks to the Queen, when she exclaimed:
 "Oh, I have 8 good deal more to show you. You have not seen our COWS yet"
 "Cows, cows2 Ants have COWS l" cried Tom, in astonisamenr.
 ''Yes, ants have COWS; and if you will step th:s way you shall see them"
 Tom obeyed, and they retraced their steps through one of the long corridors. As they went along they met an ant carrying heavy burden.
 "What busy yet ?" said the guide, and they touched hands as they passed. I whole hive; she works fifteen hours 8 day many time." Presently they came upon 8 little insect with tuft of hair on it's back, which an ant sucked, and then went away licking it's lips. ''That is walking honey pot" said the guide. "We keep several in the nest, aud when we want taste we suck them, as you saw that ant do just now"
 Tom opened his eyes at this. But he opened them wider when he learned that there were ants who were living honey jars, who stored up honey and 1 gave it out as required to the other members of the community.
 Just then very small ant leaped on the back Of the guide and put it's long spider-legs round her neck.
 'Stennie, Stennie, my little pet, don't quite choke me with your hugs. You see we have pets, as we'll as COWS and living honey-pots," turning to Tom. | They had now reached the cow-shed, connected with the main nest by GOV. cred way. It was built round and over the leaves of daisy plant which formed the stalls for the COWS.
 Tom was looking for. large, four legged creature, and when the guide pointed out quite herd of small, green insects, he thought she was surely polk ing fun at him. But these were the ant-cows. For by and by the milk maids came in, went up to the COWS and stroked them very gently until drops of honey fell from them, which they drank. As Tom stood watching them, he remembered to have seen green in- sects like these on the rose.trees and gooseberry bushes in his fathers gar den, and the thought struck him that what people call honey-dew was the honey dropped by these little creatures.
 The guide told him, as they walked away, that there were some ants that grew their own rice and even mush- rooms.
 "Dear me-" thought Tom, "ants are as clever ss men,"
 Coming to door that led into the grand hall and looking in, the guide ex. claimed "Why, the sports are on and ] did not know"
 It was a merry scene. At one end was the queen, with all her courtiers round her, watching the games. Here long double row of ants were playing at thread needle. There 8 company was dancing; close by were several pairs wrestling and boxing; while many of the youngsters were playing at hide-and- seek all round the hall. Suddenly, when the merriment was at it's night, g cry was heard: "To the pillar. to. the pillar The foe, the foe Seal the inner doors P
 The scene was changed in an instant. The queen had her bodyguard doubled, and was taken off to the royal cell, and sealed up. The keepers of the eggs, the grubs, and the mummies hurried away to their respective cells, and filled up the doorways with clay. The COW keepers did the same with the entrance to the covered way. All was excitement When the defenses were completed, al waited the onrush of the enemy. But i proved false alarm. One of the out posts had indeed seen legion of soldier , ants in the distance, tending toward thu f nest They were simply rounding { ! hill, however, and then made for nes of negro ants, intent on making slaves f This was the explanation of scout who had been sent out to see how th, thing would turn.
 g Tom was utterly dumfounded when h. !, heard of ant slaves. . Do ants really make and holt