(427)
7. But when they have newly put on this shape, I could never discern the least motion in any one part of the little Creature, whereof the reason may perhaps be, the weakness of their Fibres; for after a little more time, when they begin to be brownish, they have strength to stir all their parts.
8. At last I met with some of these reputed Eggs, which being carefully open'd by me, I took out of several of them, every way perfect and compleat Ants, which did immediately creep about among the rest, no way differing from many other Ants, but by a more feeble motion of their Limbs, And this I took for a clear demonstration of what I designed, which was to know, That the Film does onely cover the Maggot, while she is transforming into an Ant, and fit to shift for her self.
9. The black Speck that is at one end of every such reputed Ants Egg, I suppose to be cast out of the Maggot in her transformation; since, after it puts on the shape of an Ant, the Speck is quite gone, and the whole body of the Ant pure clear; since also this Speck at the end of the said Egg, lies always close to the Anus of the included Ant.
10. As to their care for their Young (by which I mean all the sorts and degrees aforesaid, from the Spawn to the vulgarly call'd Eggs, in every one of which you'l finde a young Ant) it is observable, How upon the breaking up of their Banks, they make it their business immediately to carry their Young out of sight again, laying the several sorts of them in several places and heaps: the which if you mingle again or scatter, you shall, laying but some bits of Slate, or the like, in any place they may come to and get under, after a few hours see all the Vermicles, and vulgarly call'd Eggs, laid in their several and distinct parcels, under such pieces of Slate, &c. Provided the place be not so cold as to chill their Limbs; which if it be, by being brought to the fire they will soon recover their strength, and fall to their business again, of securing their little Ones.
11. I have observed in Summer, That in the Morning they bring up those of their Young (that are vulgarly call'd Ants Eggs) towards the top of the Bank, so that you may from Ten in the Morning, until Five or Six Afternoon, finde them near the top; especially about One, Two, or Three of the Clock, and later, if the Weather
