ome little attention to the young; this
soon ceased, and they neither traced out a dwelling nor took any food;
in two days one-half died of hunger, and the other remained weak and
languid. Commiserating their condition, he gave them _one_ of their
black companions. This little creature, unassisted, formed a chamber
in the earth, gathered together the larvae, put everything into
complete order, and preserved the lives of those which were about to
perish.

All their industry is expended in the acquisition of captives. The
_Polyergus_ avoid introducing into their houses adults who would not
become reconciled to the loss of liberty, and would prefer to die
rather than work for others. They carry off the larvae of _Formica
fusca_ and _Formica cunicularia_. When brought into the ant-hill these
larvae are placed in the jaws of slaves of their own species, who care
for them; they are born captives, and have neither the regret nor the
idea of a free life. Among the Amazons the slaves undertake every
labour; it is they who build and who care for the larvae of their
masters, as well as those carried away in expeditions. They have also
complicated personal services towards the _Polyergus_. They bring them
food, lick off the dust from their hairs, clean them, carry them from
one place to another, if there is need to emigrate, although they
themselves are much smaller. The masters, by force of losing interest
in work, lose also their votes when it is a question of taking a
resolution concerning the whole colony. The servants act on their own
initiative and their own responsibility, direct constructions
according to their own ideas, and even in grave concerns, such as
emigration, the idle masters do not seem to be consulted. The workers
deliberate among themselves, and having come to a decision, proceed to
execute it. They transport the household goods, the eggs, the future
of the city, and the Amazons who have become its parasites. It is a
most curious fact that the slaves should submit to this precarious
fate when their masters are absolutely dependent on them. It is just
to add that the robust mandibles of the latter may contribute to
preserve the position they enjoy.[70]

[70] Lubbock has a brief discussion on the relations of Ants
to their domestic animals and to their slaves, _Ants, Bees,
and Wasps_, chap. iv.

CHAPTER V.

PROVISION FOR REARING THE YOUNG.

THE PRESERVATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL AN