so found many seeds of _Euphorbia_
and _Croton_, and several species of leguminous seeds. But the ants were
not bringing seeds in at this time of year: they were only carrying out
the discarded seeds and chaff; and only on the warmest days were they
very active. But they do not wholly hibernate. Even after a frosty
night, by ten o'clock in the morning many of the hills would be quite
active.

[Illustration: SOLDIER.]

I sent specimens to the Rev. Dr. McCook of Philadelphia to be named, and
he identified them as _Pogono myrmex crudelis_, described by Smith as
_Atta crudelis_[2] Dr. McCook predicted from their close structural
resemblance to the Texan "agricultural ant" that they would prove to be
harvesting-ants.

On excavating a nest I found chambers or store-rooms filled with various
kinds of seeds. But, so far as I have observed, the seeds are not eaten
until they are swollen or sprouted, when the outer covering bursts of
itself. At this stage the starch is being converted into sugar, and this
seems to be what the ants are after. They also seemed to be very fond of
the yellow pollen-dust of the pine. The catkins of the long-leaved pine
(_Pinus australis_) commenced falling in February, and I noticed ants
congregated on them; so I took those just ready to discharge the pollen,
and shook the dust on the mound in little heaps, which were soon
surrounded by ants, crowding and jostling each other in their eagerness
to obtain a share.

The colony in the glass jar seemed perfectly contented, not trying to
make their escape at all. The earth was originally a little more than
two inches in depth, but by the first of February these wonderful
architects had reared their domicile to the height of six inches. They
raised tier upon tier of chambers in so substantial a manner that they
never fell in. One of the store-rooms in which they deposited the seeds
I gave them was at the bottom of the jar, and the seeds were stored
against the glass with no intervening earth between: it contained about
a teaspoonful of millet. I gave this chamber the right degree of heat
and moisture to sprout the seed by pouring a little water down the side
of the jar until it penetrated the chamber, and then setting it near the
fire. The ants soon appreciated the condition of this store-room, and
many congregated there and seemed to be enjoying a feast. The next day
the seeds were all brought to the surface and deposited in a little heap
on one side o