CH. VII.] ANTS. 135 



seemed more willing to run the risk of a general 

 engagement ; but in proportion as they approached 

 the negro dwelling, the more solicitous did they 

 seem to despatch couriers to the garrison, who, arriv- 

 ing in great haste, produced considerable alarm, 

 when another division was immediately despatched 

 to join the army. The negroes took up a position 

 of about two feet square, in front of their nest, 

 where nearly their whole force was assembled, 

 awaiting the enemy." In the interim, the pupae 

 were removed to the side of the nest facing the field 

 of battle, so that they might be conveyed away at a 

 moment's warning, affording a trait of what Huber 

 calls prudence, and certainly a marvellously singular 

 one it is. When fighting with the amazons, the im- 

 petuosity of the attack leaves the negro-ant no time 

 for thought, but in their contests with the sanguine 

 ants, they vary their tactics so as to meet the new 

 circumstances. The latter insects being sufficiently 

 reinforced, make the attack, and band after band pil- 

 lage and carry away their booty, not in a few minutes, 

 as is done by the amazons, but during the whole day ; 

 and if the pillaged city should suit them better than 

 their own, they remove to it on the following morn- 

 ing; at least so it appears in an instance observed 

 by Huber. It is rare, according to that author, that 

 they do not change at least once during the year. 

 They certainly inspire the negroes with great terror, 

 for these, once attacked by them, generally forsake 

 their nest for ever. 



" To their own slaves they are much attached ; 

 the sanguine ants are often besieged by the fallow 

 ants : on these occasions they carry their servants 

 to the lowest chambers, and these, as if aware of 

 the intention of their removal, immediately begin 

 barricading the different entrances, with every spe- 

 cies of material lying within their reach. 



" The sanguine ants evince extraordinary foresight 

 in these engagements; for while one party is fight- 



