chrysalids, then a strange scene takes place. All over the tree, ants are now to be seen running about in a state of the greatest excitement, and whenever they meet a caterpillar descending, or preparing to descend, the trunk, in order to burrow into the earth at its base, and there pass its pupal stage of existence, they conduct it down themselves and relieve it from the labour of digging, just in the same way as our English ants do with the aphides. Still stranger is the scene which reveals itself if the earth at the base of the tree be removed, for then it is seen that chrysalids, and caterpillars that are about to turn into chrysalids, are clinging all round the trunk, whilst all amongst them are the ants, helping to place this one or that one in position. The band thus formed round the tree may be several inches broad, and it is always remarkably even, as though arranged on æsthetic principles. As the light shines in, the ants become agitated, and seizing hold of their property—for in this light they consider the caterpillars—begin to rebury them, so that in time, if the annoyance continues, they will form a fresh circle of bodies lower down the tree. Here, then, is an ants’ nest, described as temporary by Mrs. Wyllie, from whose interesting account[51] the above facts are taken, full of butterfly chrysalids, and in about a week it becomes full of butterflies themselves, and amidst the rough, black bodies of hosts of earth-working Calibans, colours born of the rainbow gleam and flash from the fairy wings of delicate insect Ariels. Each one of these was helped from its cradle, thus strangely situated, by a little group of these gnomes, who then assisted it to unfold its wings, and guided its uncertain steps. Later, when strength has come to it, and something—it knows not what—like an upward desire, these same gnomes will lead it to the portals of their gloomy Hades, where it will spread its wings and fly to meet the light. In so strange a way, led by such uncouth guides, does Ariel find the sky. Yet, as though the place of their new birth—gloomy though it be and opposed to their light-loving natures—had yet some nameless attraction for them, crowds of these butterflies may be seen, for some time after their exodus, hovering over the nest, before they leave it for ever to dwell in the courts of the sun.