Abstract
ONE of the most interesting papers that has appeared during the present year, whether considered from the point of view of general biology or of mycology, is that which has recently been published by Herr Alfred Möller, nephew of Dr. Fritz Müller.1 The work was carried out at Blumenau during the years 1890–92, and presents a clear and thorough investigation into the habits of the leaf-cutting ants and their remarkable custom of cultivating and feeding upon certain fungi. The work is introduced by a quotation from Thos. Belt's “Naturalist in Nicaragua,” where the author, speaking of the leaf-cutting ants, states: “I believe …. that they are in reality mushroom growers and eaters.” This statement Möller fully proves in the work before us. The first portion, forming the bulk of the work, is given up to the consideration of the fungus gardens of the leaf-cutting ants, and is divided into ten sections.
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WILLIS, J. The Fungus Gardens of Certain South American Ants. Nature 48, 392–394 (1893). https://doi.org/10.1038/048392b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/048392b0