RAIDS OF THE AMAZON ANTS 21 



had been invaded by legions of Amazon ants which 

 had made their way upstairs and pillaged the 

 precious handkerchief, carrying off the cocoons 

 meant for the singing birds. The probability is 

 that a wandering Amazon scout had discovered 

 the treasure in the napkin and had carried the news 

 to headquarters. Hence the raid prompt, precise, 

 and resolute ; and our admiration for the Amazons 

 grows. 



In one of Emery's experiments, the artificial 

 nest was placed in a walled court with no trace of 

 desirable objects of pillage. Yet there were re- 

 peated expeditions. Were these prompted by the 

 victims of illusion, who "believed they had dis- 

 covered ant nests where none existed"? This 

 being absurd, Emery would have us note that his 

 particular colony had been transplanted into a 

 terra incognita, where, naturally enough (are we 

 not poignantly aware of analogous cases in human 

 warfare?), the expeditions were a little fatuous. 

 In an established Amazon colony, however, mastery 

 of the environment is soon attained, and the raids 

 are swift and sure. We do not hold up Amazon 

 ants as ideals for mankind or should we not say 

 womankind in a case like this? but we confess 

 to some admiration for their promptness, precision, 

 courage and success. It is rather a despicable 

 business this kidnapping of children for slaves 

 but the Amazons do it well. In one raid which 

 began about five o'clock in the afternoon, over a 

 thousand prisoners were taken before quarter to 



