134 NATURAL HISTORY. [CH. VII 



crowds, and while some fell upon the invaders with 

 great spirit, others passed through the scene of con- 

 test, solely occupied in bearing off to a place of 

 safety their larvae and pupae." 



The amazon army was often despoiled of its 

 booty, but their superior address and agility at length 

 gave them the advantage, and in a quarter of an hour 

 they ^vere seen returning homewards loaded with 

 prey — not, however, straggling, and in a file, as after 

 an assault upon the negroes, but in a compact mass ; 

 a precaution so much the more necessary, as the 

 courageous miners disputed every inch of ground, 

 following and attacking them until they arrived 

 within ten paces of the amazonian citadel. 



Besides the amazons, there is another slave- 

 making species, called the formica sanguinea; a 

 species whi-ch has not as yet been discovered hi this 

 island. They are larger than the legionaries : ii/;iike 

 them, however, they share the labour with ijieii 

 slaves. Their mode of attack is very diffei ent from 

 that of the legionaries ; the latter carry eveiy thing 

 by sheer impetuosity ; the former never pour in im- 

 mense masses, but attack in small divisions : they 

 sometimes go one hundred and fifty paces, to attack 

 a negro habitation, and the various divisions suc- 

 ceed each other by means of couriers, which are 

 evidently sent off to fetch assistance from the gar- 

 rison. 



"On the 15th July, at 10 a. m.," says Huber, "a 

 small division of sanguine ants was despatched 

 from the garrison, and arrived in quick march near 

 a nest of negro ants, situated twenty paces distant, 

 around Avhich they took their station. The inhabit- 

 ants perceiving the strangers, rushed forth, and 

 made several prisoners ; tlie sanguine ants ad- 

 vanced no farther: they appeared to be waiting for 

 reinforcements ; from time to time, little companies 

 arrived fiom the garrison to strengthen the brigade : 

 thus reunited tliey advanced a little nearej, and 



