The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-05-26
They Make War, Fight Battles
and Capture Slaves.
THEY MILK THEIR COWS
Build Houses and Bridges and
Steal Sugar

( bridges, as narrated BY Captain Dreyfus,
/ IL his Devils Island diary.
There are certain ants which keep cows
ant cows, Of course. but cows Just the
same
Other insects OF the ant genus engage
in the slave trade. and go about hunting
for eaDtives as Z regular business.
There are ants which make mushroom
\ growing their profession.
/ Able-bodied ants belonging to certain
tribes engage daily in regular gymnastic
! exercise before they 60 10 work. and this
+ tribe seems 70 be blessed also with ant
/ schools ana universities.
/ IN certain ant villages in South Africa
+ there are regular sanitary arrangements
as TO drainage and burial Of the dead
; There is q South American tribe Of ant
+ architects whose work has long been
admired by scientists and builders.
Ever since the Biblical Injunction "Go
70 the ant was made, man has devoted q
large amount Of his attention 10 study
ing the tiny creature. The results have
been very interesting. Here are some OF
them:
The power Of ants 10 recognize their
friends after long separation was careful
II investigated by Prof AEbrscht Bethe.
He found that cartain ants could be
taken out OF a nest and kept for two
years. on returning them 10 the nest
from which they came they would be cor
daily received, and ~old chums" would
crowd around them as II their home-com-
ing were matter Of much interest.
II. however. Prof. Bethe put strange
attacked and driven cut OF killed.
When young ants were taken from "a
certain nest they would be received in
friendly manner at any subsequent time;
whereas young ants from another nest
even when the ants belonged to the same
tribe-wouId be promptly elected.
After two years, however. the ant
memory seems TO lag. Prof. Bethe found
that ants were not recognized BIZ their
friends If a longer period were allowed 10
elapse.
The power Of the ants TO recognize their
friends IS due. It is said. 70 a peculiar
scent which each ant possesses.
Most ants keep cows. These cows
consist if insects belonging to the genus
aphidae. or plant lice. They are small.
round, PUPPY little creatures OF sluggish
habits Their eyes are large and cow
ike. Some aphidae are black. others red,
green or some other color.
when an ant finds an aphis OF suitable
size it taps it several times on the hack
with its antennae. or feelers. This
causes the aphis 70 give out a species of
milk which the ant quickly devours.
Ants build little sheds Of leaves over
from disturbing them. Portions Of leaves
are brought 70 the aphis by the ant own
er, ard IL IS FED and vel cared for 50
long as IT IS Mt for milking.
The conduct of the ant in its care Of
the aphis has been closely studied By Sir
John Lubbock. who has minutely describ-
81 the life OF the ant COW and its tiny
master.
Ants milk their cows regularly at GER
tain hours = the day.
The ant technically known as the Poly
ergus Rufsscens Is the celebrated slave
making insect. Ants Of This species go
IN tribes and capture large numbers OF
smaller ants. The object OF the slave
makers IS TO terrify their captivez SO that
no resistance VII be made. It is seldom
that slave ants are killed In these raids. /
After the slaves have been captured
they are carried Of 10 the nest OF the
captors, where they are forced TO attend
upon the young and do chores about the /
establishment. The species Formica Fus-
ca are usually made slaves.
The Polyergus Rufescens are also I
known as the Amazon ants They have
q peculiar way OF fighting. quite dI1erere /
from any other tribe. When attacking
an enemy this ant tries 70 pierce the I
brain Of its antagonist by using species f
OF la1ce-liEe maudible- They do not seize /
the enemy ~ their jaws and Try 70 cut /
him in two, IS DC other SPECIES.
Another peculiar hghter Is the roruica /
Exsscta- This ant liz battle tries 70 saw
It's enemv-s head or
ANTS belonging 70 this species show
great Judgment In attack They pick out 4
single ants OF the enemy and surround .
them IN force While three or four ants /
VIII hold the legs Of the attacked ant. 4
one VIII jump en- its back and cut OF us
head
The common house ants Fornica Ru- +
fra march in columns OF regular forua-
uon- on the outside q the main column
may be seen single ants directing the
movement II the force
When Two ant armies meet their en-
gagemsnt becomes series OF separate
iaeis- When Two ants meet II hghr they
drsr throw acid on each ether and tAen
-lEch II death strugeie-
HUBER ard others who have watched
ant battles record The fact thzt ants
sometimes hold on 70 each ether Tor
three days ana nights, CT unel Gee cr
the other succEuas
The species 1irrueec1a LstreiI Go nct