Page:Harper's New Monthly Magazine - v109.djvu/661

Rh sought more secure positions. Most of them were cuddled down upon the surface. Some squatted upon their abdomens; some lay upon their sides; some stood a-tiptoe on their hind legs against the glass. Some crouched upon the earth, piled one atop of another. There was a constant agitation in the clusters, and frequent changes of position occurred.

While the ants of one group were sleeping, others would be at work, and these would stalk among and over the sleepers, vigorously jostling them at times. Again, new members occasionally joined a group, and in their eagerness to get close up to the heat, crowded their drowsy comrades aside. Ants at work in the galleries would drop the pellets they carried, push into a group of sleepers, and presently themselves be sound asleep. This rough treatment was invariably received with good humor, as are like jostlings during waking and working hours. The fact must be set to the credit of emmet amiability, as—from the standpoint of higher animals at least—the circumstances peculiarly tend to irritate the temper. Of course, however, some of the sleepers would be aroused. They changed their positions a little, or gave themselves a brief combing, and resumed their nap—unless, indeed, they were satisfied, in which case they stretched their limbs and yawned in the approved manner of the genus homo.

The length of time given to sleep varies according to circumstances and perhaps temperament. The big-headed soldiers of the Florida Harvester seem more sluggish than the smaller workers. Their sleep is longer and heavier. The longest period during which individuals were observed to sleep is three and a half hours. But then with most ants sleep was broken up into several naps, longer or shorter, by incomers and intruding laborers. We may

infer that the sleep of ants may be prolonged for three hours. They may sleep longer in natural site and under ground. Certainly in confinement they commonly take much shorter naps.

During sleep the ant's body is quite still. Occasionally may be noted a regular lifting up and setting down of the fore feet, one leg after another, with almost rhythmic motion. The antennæ also have a gentle, quivering, apparently involuntary movement, almost like breathing. The soundness of slumber was frequently proved by applying the feather end of a quill. The feather-tip is lightly drawn along the back, stroking "with the fur." There is no emotion. Again and again this action is repeated, the stroke being made gradually heavier. Still there is no change. The strokes are directed upon the head, with the same result. Then the feather is applied to the neck with a waving motion intended to tickle it. The ant remains motionless. Finally the sleeper is aroused by a sharp