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136
My Studio Neighbors
·
W. Hamilton Gibson
33
The
contrast
of
these
clean-swept
door-yards
with
the
mound
of
debris
of
the
ants
suggested
an
investigation
of
the
comparative
methods
of
burrowing
and
the
disposal
of
the
excavated
material.
Here
is
a
hole
evidently
some
inches
in
depth;
what,
then,
has
become
of
the
earth
removed?
Suiting
action
to
the
thought,
I
swept
into
the
openings
of
two
or
three
of
the
holes
quite
a
quantity
of
loose
earth
scraped
from
the
close
vicinity,
and
thus
completely
obliterated
the
opening
of
burrow,
door-yard
and
all.
I
awaited
in
vain
any
sign
of
returning
activity
at
the
surface,
and,
my
patience
being
somewhat
taxed,
I
entered
my
studio,
where
I
remained
for
a
quarter
of
an
hour,
perhaps.
Upon
stealing
cautiously
to
the
doorway,
I
observed
all
the
obliterated
holes
had
reappeared,
and
upon
taking
once
more
my
original
position
I
was
soon
rewarded
with
a
demonstration
of
the
method
of
excavation.
After
a
moment
or
two
a
pellet
of
earth
seemed
suddenly
to
rise
from
within
the
cavity,
and
when
arrived
at
the
level
of
the
ground
was
suddenly
shot
forth
a
distance
of
five
or
six
inches,
as
though
thrown
from
a
tiny
round
flat
shovel,
which
suddenly
flashed
from
the
opening,
and
as
quickly
retired
to
its
depths,
though
not
without
a
momentary
display
of
two
curved
prongs
and
a
formidable
show
of
spider-like
legs.
After
a
short
lapse
of
time
the
act
was
repeated,
this
time
a
tiny
stone
being
brought
to
the
surface,
and,
after
a
brief
pause
at
the
doorway,
was
jerked
to
a
distance
as
from
a
catapult.
I
now
concluded
to
try
the
power
of
this
propelling
force,
and
taking
a
small
stone,
about
three-quarters
of
an
inch
in
length
and
a
quarter-inch
in
thickness,
laid
it
over
the
mouth
of
the
tunnel.
A
few
minutes
passed,
when
I
noticed
a
slight
motion
in
the
stone,
immediately
followed
by
a
forcible
ejectment,
which
threw
it
nearly
an
inch,
the
propelling
instrument
retiring
so
quickly
into
the
burrow
beneath
as
to
scarce
afford
a
glimpse.
The
stone
appeared
almost
to
have
jumped
voluntarily.
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