The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-03-16
TEXAS RAsEs eREAr ANS.
They Plant and Gather Crops. Bald Road
- r,,.f~,..t N,ruhaf,ra

They Plant and Gather Crops, Build Roads
and Construct Incubators.
The sagaolty OF the shepherd ant Is only
rivaled 10y that Of the farmer ant, also "A
native OF far western Texas. These ~
markahlo insects, according 20 some writ
ers, plant each year a crop Of ant rice, a
cereal seemingly originated by some for
mic agriculturist In bygono ages, and when
the crop Is ripe they gather It into sub
terranean granaries, always reserving a
store for planting
Somewhat resembling in occupation the
farmer ant, Texas can boast many colo
mics OF the umbrella or leaf cutting ant so
common and destructive in Mexico and
Central America. In the latter countries
they ara quite destructive, often destroy
ing large trees, and their depredations
have 10 be guarded against by means OF
wooden hllets wound about the trunks Of
the trees. Many notions. wholly without
foundation. seem 20 be current concerning
these strange little pests. Their method
Of operation, 80 far as have observed in
Fort Bend county. Is TO strip only the
smaller trees and shrubs. The leaves are
not cut into disk shaped pieces, as com
monty supposed, but in any form that
suits the artistic fancy of the ant. To ia
cilitate progress 90 and from the leaf cut
ting grounds and nest. the ants construct
OF clear broad, smooth roads, often as
much as 200 yards in length and from
TO S inches broad. These roads display
considerable engineering skill, Astounding
IN curves, grades and even tunnels The
leaf cutters seem 20 be the most industri-
Gus Of all the ant family, big, little, old
or young seeming 20 be animated with
an almost insane desire TO do his share OF
the work Nothing could be more anus
ing than to see little fellow, not more
than the fourth Of an inch long, hurrying
madly along with a huge leaf dexterously
b. n IN his mandibles. The nest Of the
umbrella ant is a very poor affair, and
bears about the same relation 90 the neat
tunnels Of the farmer ant that the howell
OF the suuatter does 70 the substantial
home OF the prosperous farmer. Any rude
hole or hollow log serves the leaf gatherer
as a storeroom, where he puts away his
hotbod 10 hatch out the eggs deposited by
the female. The leaf cutter is thus the
original inventor Of the incubator, al
though his rights have never been recog-
nized by letters patent
In New Mexico and northern Mexico is
20 be found the honey ant sold as confec-
tions by the Mexicans, which are eaten
something like grapes. Unlike the bee,
the ant IS unable to secrete wax or other
wise make suitable receptacle for his
gathered honey, but in the face Of these
difficulties he has solved the problem com
pletely Certain members. very patriotic
ones doubtless, are selected, who act as
honey jars for the workers. These mar
tyrs stay at home and bravely swallow
the gathered honey until their gradually
distending abdomens will hold no more,
and as they hang suspended like so many
golden drops from the sides of the tunnel
they have the appearance though not the
sentiments of bloated capitalists. profit
ing in idleness by the labors Of their fell
low beings. The life of the honey keeper
Is no sinecurc. His duties are arduous
and require tho greatest care. When the
honey season is over, he il is who feeds
the idle hands, regurgitating a drop Of
honey whenever a check on the larder H.
presented, the latter consisting Of certain
well defined strokes on the head and body
by the hungry ant. Some malignant ia
vestigators, whose whole desire seems 10
be TO fasten on these exemplary little ami
mails the vices Of men, claim that there is
20 be found Il parasitic bug in the nests Of
the honey ant, which, at the solicitation
of thirsty members, yields an alcoholic
liquor something similar TO beer The
methods Of the formic topers are said to
be similar 20 those Of the enlightened eau
casian, consisting in certain winks and
expressive crookings Of the elbows.-Gal-
weston News.