FORMICA

Syn. The Ant . The following are the principal species of the genus Formica . F. flava , the yellow ant. Many careful observers say this species keeps in its nest the Aphis radicans , which when its abdomen is touched by the ant, excretes a saccharine substance on which the ants feed. F. rufa , or large red ant, F. fusc a ; or brown ant, Polyergus rufescens , and F. sanguine a . These two latter are sometimes called amazon ants, from their pugilistic propensities. They have been known to make regular raids against other species of ants, and to carry off their larvæ and pupæ to their own nests, where they rear the insects that come of them, and afterwards employ them as slaves, causing them to excavate pa ages, to collect food, to carry larvæ and (so dependent do the masters become on the exertions of their bondsman) even to feed them; it being a well-attested fact that the slave holders would starve if left to themselves. See Ant .