Liberia ^ 



degree ot permanency, but not without intermittence. Occa- 

 sionally the smooth, hollow surface of the runnel which has 

 been worn bare of vegetation by the constant passage of the 

 ants is deserted. The next day it may be swarming with an 

 army. Where the track crosses a road or open space the 

 depression or causeway along which the worker ants are hurrying 

 is often bridged over by the soldiers, who form with their linked 

 bodies an arch to the runnel along which the stream passes. 

 There is also a kind of hedge of soldiers along each lip of the 

 hollowed track. The instant these are disturbed by any passing 

 creature the soldier ants scatter themselves rapidly over the 

 adjoining ground for several yards on each side of the track, 

 looking for the enemy, and ready to attack him with their 

 powerful jaws. 



The driver ants are never found in a dry country ; they 

 frequent the moister parts of Africa. It is curious that one 

 never sees them returning along these routes ; they are always 

 going in one fixed direction. This would look as though 

 they were of migratory habits, passing from one temporary home 

 to another, whereas if they merely sallied out on raids for food 

 one would meet them occasionally proceeding along the beaten 

 tracks in the reverse direction. 



Owing to their ferocious disposition and great numbers, 

 they have been very little studied hitherto in their life habits. 

 Quite possibly the Liberian species, as elsewhere in Africa, 

 have not been correctly identified or named ; there is in all 

 probability more than one kind of driver ant in this country 

 belonging to the genus Ammma or Dorylus. I have never 

 noticed these ants in the " civilised " part of Liberia. I think 

 civilisation, cleared roads, the noise and bustle of European life 

 do daunt these destroyers. In this way they may be finally 

 got rid of. Travellers sometimes speak of them with some 



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