Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1902-02-06
Ants In Captivity.

disturbed by the hum OF csaseless ac-
tivity that surrounds them. These
inhabitants are ants belonging to Miss
Adele Fields, who takes the deepest
interest in their welfare.
They are of the species known as
Steninlnia tuluunr, and began life at
Cape Cod, where Miss Fields secured
them. They were brought to the city
and installed in quarters which they
seem to consider are all that can be
desired, even if the ceilings are only
about half an inch high and the at
mosphere decidedly humid.
That the colony is peaceful one
is due entirely to the fact that only
congenial spirits dwell in each house
hold; hence, every family has its own
home and refuses to have anything to
do with its neighbors, except to kill
one Of them should the opportunity
occur.
Some of the houses have two rooms
and others three, the latter usually
being divided into the food room,
otherwise known as the dining room
the nursery and the sponge room, all
built on a level. The exterior is long
and narrow. In the large homes an
entrance is at each end, and entrances
to every room is effected through a
more or less intricate passage, depend
ing on the size of the home and family.
Some rooms have sections screened oil
into narrow "runs." Each house Is
made of "double-thick' glass. The
piece for the flooring is laid upon a
sheet of white blotting paper, forming
background against which the ants
may be readily seen. Walls are built
of strips of double-th;ck glass half an
inch wide, placed in two horizontal
layers for each side. The doorways
are apertures three-eighths Of an inch
wide, to admit a glass tube, through
which the ants run from the old dwell
ing house to new home when desired
The tops of the walls are covered with
a layer Of Turkish toweling that ad-
mits the air required by the ants when
the glass roof is laid on.
81 keep a thick layer of blotting
paper over the top to exclude the light,
said Miss Field. For some reason,
as yet unknown, light is harmful to
the eggs and young. This is family
living in a two-room home, and she
lifted the paper, revealing the ants
busily engaged in heirseveral duties.
This house contains sponge room and
nursery combined, and is connected
by an entrance with the dining and
living room. The queen, whois much
larger than the average ant, was just
then busy in the nursery, where she
was experimenting the care Of the
Young The workers were looking
after the children, for, while the mother
liked to stay around and see that
things were well done, she did not
attempt to help. The nurses knew
she was there, however, and showed 1t
by their energy, for, despite the high
estimation in which ants are held for
their industry, it is fact that their
work is far better in quality and
quantity when the ruler is watching.
Although the queen is the ruler,
yet the king is pampered individual.
He is the only kind of ant that is
welcomed in household of ants even
if he is not a relation. His life is a
short one-only three or four months
in duration.
One young king who was placed
near tn. opening Of an anthouse was
Immediately spied out and two workers
hurried out to invite him in. They
went up to him, and, holding him gen.
tly by the wings (the king is always
winged), drew him in through the door
of their home. After a short visit the
king wanted to go home, but his cap
tors had no idea Of letting such a
treasure escape. They reasoned with
the visitor, but he was determined to
90 When he thought his captors were
not on the alert he made dash for
the doorway and was off. He was not
to escape SO easily, however, for a
number Of workers soon overlook and
surrounded him and carried him back
to the house. struggling and kick
ing all the way. Then the workers
Strengthened out the kings wings, that
had been rumpled III the fray, smoothed
him down and patted him on the
head with their sntenne in caress.
ing manner, as if to say; do be good
and stay, because you'll have to, any
way" Finally the king saw the wis.
dom Of becoming reconciled and set