CHAPTER XIV. 



A TOUR THROUGH A TEXAS ANT-HILL. 



" What do the cutting-ants do with the leaves 

 which they carry into their holes ?" The evening's 

 conversation began with this question. 



" I was very anxious to answer that inquiry, you may 

 be sure, and there was only one way to do so — I must 

 dig up the nest. My three assistants were armed with 

 pick and shovel ; I was provided with trowel, knife, 

 pocket-rule, and my little satchel, tilled with boxes, 

 bottles, and various odds and ends for collecting speci- 

 mens and other work. Camp-stool and drawing 

 materials stood at the road-side. We knew that the 

 insects would swarm upon us in innumerable legions 

 when we assaulted their home, and that their sharp 

 pincers would be formidable weapons. We therefore, 

 like ancient knights, girt ourselves with armor for the 

 conflict. 



" Handkerchiefs and scarfs were bound around 

 face and ears under our hats ; bandages swatlied our 

 necks tightly ; trousers wei-e thrust into boot-tops, 

 and these tightened to the legs ; hands were gloved 

 and wrists bandaged ; indeed, every opening tln-ough 

 the clothing by which the angry ants might find way 

 to the body was protected by wrappings. Thus ar- 

 rayed, I led my little army to the assault. 



