18 THE NATURALIST IX NICARAGUA. [Ch. II. 



pulled, bitten to pieces and carried off. The individuals 

 of this species were of various sizes ; the smallest 

 measuring one and a quarter line's, and the largest three 

 lines, or a quarter of an inch. 



I saw many large armies of this, or a closely Allied 

 species, in the forest. My attention was generally first 

 called to them by the twittering of some small birds, 

 belonging to several different species, that follow the ants 

 in the woods. On approaching, a dense body of the ants, 

 three or four yards wide, and so numerous as to blacken 

 the ground, would be seen moving rapidly in one direc- 

 tion, examining every cranny, and underneath every 

 fallen leaf. On the flanks, and in advance of the main 

 body, smaller columns would be pushed out. These 

 smaller columns would generally first flush the cock- 

 roaches, grasshoppers, and spiders. The pursuqd insects 

 would rapidly make off, but many, in their confusion and 

 terror, would bound right into the midst of the main 

 body of ants. At first the grasshopper, when it found 

 itself in the midst of its enemies, would give vigorous 

 leaps, with pqrhaps two or three of the ants clinging to 

 its legs. Then it would stop a moment to rest, and that 

 moment would be fatal, for the tiny foes would swarm 

 over the prey, and after a few more ineffectual struggles 

 it would succumb to its fate, and soon be bitten to pieces 

 and carried off to the rear. The greatest catch of the 

 ants was, however, when they got amongst some fallen 

 brusliAvood. The cockroaches, spiders, and other insects, 

 instead of running right away, would ascend the fallen 

 branches and remain there, whilst the host of ants were 

 occupying all the ground below. By-and-by up would 

 come some of the ants, following every branch, and 



