Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/363

Rh similar light variation often takes place in the female of Hipparchia Galatea, which, instead of being marbled with black, has the markings of a light brown; Cledeobia albistrigalis.—Robert C.R. Jordan; Teignmouth, September, 1843.

Note on the Walking Branch Caterpillar. There occurs occasionally a caterpillar, so exceedingly like a small dead twig or branch of a tree, that it is almost impossible to distinguish it, unless you happen to see it move: it is also remarkable that the caterpillar bears the strongest resemblance to the branches or twigs of the particular tree on the leaves of which it is feeding: doubtless this similarity is a wonderful provision of Providence to deceive the birds, to which, from their exposed situation, they must otherwise instantly become a prey.—M. Saul; Fort Green Cottage, Garstang, October, 1843.

Note on the Economy of Ants. The observations on ants by Mr. Frederick Smith (Zool. 262) brought to my recollection a circumstance which I observed last month iu a colony of ants in my garden. They had collected round the entrances of their galleries a number (probably fifty) of the seeds of the common violet (Viola odorata) which they were carefully carrying into their retreats. Modern writers on ants repudiate the early statements of their laying up corn for their winter store, and destroying the germinating principle; and therefore I was not a little surprised to witness this apparent confirmation of these early statements: for it is difficult to conceive for what purpose they could be storing up. these seeds, unless for a future supply of food. I veiy carefully compared the seeds which I took from the ants with others taken from a violet growing in the immediate neighbourhood of the ants' nest; therefore I am sure that the seeds the ants were carrying into their holes were veritable violet-seeds. Probably some of your correspondents would be kind enough, through your Magazine, to give an opinion on the object the ants had in view in collecting and storing up these seeds. Mr. Smith says he never witnessed a battle of ants; I once had the good fortune to see one, and recorded it in Loudon's 'Magazine of Natural History,' iv. 149.—R. Wakefield; Lower Clapton, September 5, 1843.

"A Battle of Ants.—On the 16th of last May, I was walking in my garden before breakfast, when my attention was attracted by an unusual assemblage of ants in the gravel-walk; the species, I believe, was that of which Huber, in his ' History of Ants,' has given a representation, and is called by him Formica fusca. On a closer examination I found they were fighting; they were collected in groups of forty or fifty, running rapidly about, and then stopping and pulling each other with their mandibles. The field of battle did not extend over a surface of more than 3 ft. square, and there were probably five or six groups all eagerly contending with each other. After watching them with much attention for about half an hour, T was called in to breakfast; and on returning, after a lapse of twenty minutes, the battle was's.till raging. How long the conflict lasted I am unable to say; for when I first saw them they evidently had been some time engaged in their deadly game, and I was compelled to leave them before the battle was over. I however visited the spot again, about one o'clock, and they were then busily employed in removing their slain comrades. I counted about thirty dead ants on the field; more, probably, had fallen, as doubtless many had been removed before my return. In one small spot, of not more than an inch square, seven dead ants were extended. Their courage is very extraordinary; for in several instances, with such fury and obstinacy had these little warriors contended, that two might be perceived locked in each other's embraces, having died in this their last mortal struggle. We have all read of battles of ants, but as far as my enquiries have extend-