1849.] 197 



cal contrivance for the depositing of food, or hatching of eggs ; for these purposes, 

 spaces between tlie stones, sticks, &c. found within, are adopted. 



This absence of mechanical arrangement in their dwellings accords well with 

 their known predaceous 'habits. 



Their sallies are usually made towards night, and in cloudy days. Should they 

 be detained abroad till late in the morning of a sunny day, they construct for their 

 protection against the heat, arches over their path, of earth, agglutinated by a 

 fluid secreted from their mouths. Should their course lie through thick grass or 

 projecting substances, the arCh will be wanting, or more or less imperfect, de- 

 pending on the degree of shelter thus afforded. 



That this arch is designed to protect them against the heat, may be inferred 

 from its absence in cloudy or rainy days. Such is their extreme sensitiveness, 

 that, when exposed to the direct rays of the sun, especially if the heat be increased 

 by reflection from surrounding surfaces, they expire in the space of two minutes. 

 Even with the arch, when far from their doniicil, they will retire in the middle 

 of the day, to the thick grass and there regale themselves in the shade till the 

 decline of the sun, when their work is renewed with characteristic vigor. 



In migrating, protection is afforded to their pupae and young, by an arch con- 

 structed of the bodies of the larger class, or soldiers. Their mandibles and legs 

 are so curiously locked and intertwined, that a complete and formidable covering 

 is presented ; at such times individual soldiers will be seen on the outside, acting 

 as guards and scouts, while others of the same class are within, apparently per- 

 forming the part of superintendents and commanders. In case of alarm the arch 

 is instantly broken, and the soldiers are seen running about in the most confused 

 and hurried manner, with their jaws extended and antennne working in all direc- 

 tions, thus presenting a highly angry and ferocious aspect. ShouUl the alarm 

 prove false, the victory be won, or danger passed, the arch is quickly renewed, 

 the main column brought again to order, and their march resumed in all the re- 

 gularity of intellectual, military discipline. Their paths present a beaten appear- 

 ance, with freedom from all moveable obstructions. 



As to their relation sustained to the economy of the community, they may be 

 divided into three classes. It is the office of the first, or largest, which may be 

 called the soldiers, to defend the community, attack and disable the prey. Their 

 mandibles have long and slender points, well adapted to penetrate, and by their 

 strongly falcate shape, to hold fast the objects of attack. 



The second class frequently act as aid^ to the first, but their chief office evi- 

 dently is, to lacerate the prey and reduce it to a portable condition. Their man- 

 dibles are flatter than those of the first, sharp, and have their teeth more de- 

 veloped. 



The third are comparatively of very small size, and have their mandibles 

 developed in a manner similar to those of the second class. These sustain chiefly 

 the relation of carriers, and, perhaps, wiik (he second class, may be properly de- 

 nominated laborers. This diminutive size of the laborers is seen also among the 

 Termites, or White ants, while the soldiers are comparatively of gigantic form. 



There is occasionally an interchange of offices among these diffijrent classes, as 

 when an individual is found inadequate to accomplish his task ; but it is very evi- 

 dent to an observer, that in general, they sustain the relation to the community 

 above described. 



