THE DRU'ER AND LEGIONARY ANTS. 251 



and thus float upon the water till a place of safety is reached, or the 

 flood subsides." 



Savage describes the predatory habits of Anonuna at considerable 

 length. "They will soon kill the largest animal if confined. They 

 attack lizards, guanas, snakes, etc., with complete success. We have 

 lost several animals by them monkeys, pigs, fowl, etc. The severity 

 of their bite increased to great intensity by vast numbers, it is impos- 

 sible to conceive. We may easily believe that it would prove fatal to 

 almost any animal in confinement. They have been known to destroy 

 the Python natalcnsis, our largest serpent. When gorged with prey it 

 lies motionless for days ; then, monster as it is, it easily becomes their 

 victim. . . . Their entrance into a house is soon known by the simul- 

 taneous and universal movement of rats, mice, lizards, Blapsidae, Blat- 

 tid?e and of the numerous vermin that infest our dwellings. Not being 

 agreed, they cannot dwell together, which modifies in a good measure 

 the severity of the driver's habits, and renders their visits sometimes 

 (though very seldom in my view) desirable. Their ascent into our 

 beds we sometimes prevent by placing the feet of the bedsteads into a 

 basin of vinegar, or some other uncongenial fluid ; this will generally 

 be successful if the rooms are ceiled, or the floors overhead tight; 

 otherwise, they will drop down upon us, bringing along with them their 

 noxious prey in the very act of contending for victory. They move 

 over the house with a good degree of order, ransacking one point after 

 another, till, either having found something desirable, they collect upon 

 it. when they may be destroyed ' en masse ' by hot water ; or, disap- 

 pointed, they abandon the premises as a barren spot, and seek some 

 other more promising for exploration. When they are fairly in we 

 give up the house, and try to await with patience their pleasure, thank- 

 ful, indeed, if permitted to remain within the narrow limits of our 

 beds or chairs. They are decidedly carnivorous in their propensities. 

 Fresh meat of all kinds is their favorite food; fresh oils also they love, 

 especially that of Elais c/itinicnsis, either in the fruit or expressed. 

 Under my observation they pass by milk, sugar, and pastry of all 

 kinds, also salt meat ; the latter, when boiled, they have eaten, but not 

 with the zest of fresh. It is an incorrect statement, often made, that 

 ' they devour everything eatable ' by us in our houses ; there are many 

 articles which form an exception. If a heap of rubbish comes within 

 their route, they invariably explore it, when larvae and insects of all 

 orders are borne off in triumph especially the former." That the 

 hypogaeic species of Dorylns are very fond of foraging for larvae in 

 compost heaps has also been shown by Forel (1890^:), Peringuey. 

 Emery ( 1905^) and Brauns (1901). 



