Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1885-05-16


away their little day in the sunset hour
Tom could not help feerng the beauty
Of the scene. And some aeusc of sweet
ness would mingle with the bitterness
that fonnd vent in his tears. When
these had ceased, his eye chanced to
fall on nest Of ants, the inmates Of
which were very busy around linn, some
repairing the nest, others gnaraing 1t
and others carrying stores into it.
Az he watched them, the nest began
tc grow senslbly bigger, until it seemed
as if he could walk up anl down in it.
Tom thought this was a splendid chance
of exploring an ant-hill, and making up
to the nest, was about to enter, when
two OF the guards rushed out, clashing
their lows 30 fiercely that he felt quite
frightened. He was still more startled,
! however, when one of them asked him
! what he wanted. On recovering him
self, he made bold to ask if he might be
allowed to see over the nest. The
! guards cOnversed for a moment, ard
! then one of them went inside and pres
emily returned with kindly. motherly-
looking ant, who said: "The queen has
been pleased to grant you your request
and appointed me your guide. Please
step this way"
The entrance opened into kind of
hall, which again narrowed into a lobby,
having pillar at the entrance, midway
between the walls. Seeing Tom look
wonderingly at this pillar, the guide told
him it was to make the nest easier of
defence when attacked.
"You see," she said, "a couple of ants
could keep whole army at bay here"
Tom thought il most skillfnl device.
Passing through this lobby, they came
10 another hall, much larger than the
first, with pillars here and there to sup
port the roof.
This is the grand assemblv-room,
said the Guide
Then she led him into another lobby,
having a row of cells on each side.
They mounted staircase, and passed
through gallery. which also had rows
ii cells on each side There was some
thing, or somebody, in every cell.
Now and again, they met q long
string of ants hearing burdens. The
leader of one of these-a big -iawed ant
siezed Tom with his nippers as they
! were passing, and would have made
them meet in his flesh, had not the guide
sicnaled that he was friend.
Tom might have grown weary with
his long tramp, but for some entertain
ing accounts of other ant nests by the
guide. She described one followed out
of the branches and twigs of thorn tree
for the sake of honey hidden there; an
other purse-shaped, made by gluing
leaves together while on the tree; and
another stranger still, made with dried
cakes of refuse, arranged like tiles on the
branches of a tree, one large cake form
ing the roof
rs they came to one cell Joyous com
pany passed out, having among them q
large ant of very stately bearing.
The queen the queen y cried the
guide. isn't she a right noble lady %
Tom took note how very, devoted and
attentive the ants were to their queen
Her body guard lifted her gently over
| all rough places; and when the royal
party met troop of working ants, the
latter divided and saluted the former as
it passed along.
Turning into the cell the queen had
just left they saw the floor covered with
the smallest eggs Tom had ever seen,
They were scarcely bigger than pin
point "But come this way" said the
guide, "and I'll show you the nursery.
This was one of the cosiest cells in the
whole nest. Here, ranged against the
walls like classes in school, were rows
upon rows Of small, white, legless gruhs
They looked like tiny sugar Ioaves, and
were made up Of eleven or twelve rings
Every little creature had its nurse, who
was either feeding it or washing it. ol
Just taking it ont for an airing, or bring
ing it in.
What in the world are these funny
, little things?'' asked Tom.
"Why, they have come out of eggs
, like those you sawinst now; ard if spared
will be full-grown ants some day. Now
, you must see the spinning room. Sc
J saving, the guide led across passage
, into another cell.
: Here number of fine fat grubs were
spinning gauze dresses for themselves
! which were to shroud their bodies from
top to toe 4 few were spinning an ad
ditional coat Of silk to put over the
, 3auze dress.
These are their nightgowns, said
the guide. "And the moment they are
covered from head 10 foot they will go tc
sleep for month or six weeks without
waking"
L