Page 97 - The Miracle in the Ant
P. 97

It has been shown that acacia trees which have no ants are prone to
             more attack and damage by other bugs compared to those which har-
             bour ant colonies. In an experiment, it was observed that wild plants
             that sprang from an acacia trunk 40 centimetres in diametre were in-
             vaded by ants and chewed and trampled to destruction. Ants have even
             attacked the branches and leaves of other plants that touch on the shad-
             ow of the acacia. The whole ant colony is in an active state while clean-
             ing and patrolling the plant. The conclusion researchers have arrived at
             is as follows: The ants are employed as a "special army" hired by the
                  64
             acacia. Since the awareness which would promote such a negotiation
             is not within the capability of either side, it must be accepted that this
             balance must have been established by the will of Allah Who created
             both parties to the agreement.


               Ant Hotels
               In some plants, there are deep hollows called "domatia" in biological
             terminology. These do not serve any purpose other than that of forming
             a shelter for ant colonies. They have holes which allow ants to go in and
             out easily, or thin curtains made up of tissue. In these chambers, there





























                                                         Above, an ant is seen on a
                                                      plant which is an extremely suit-
                                                    able shelter for itself. The holes on the
                                                  ant serve as "doors" for the ants.
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