350 INSECT MISCELLANIES. 



ground, and heap them up on the other side of the 

 nest from that where the invading army is making 

 its chief assault, in order that they may be more 

 conveniently carried off, should they lose the battle. 

 Their young females also take shelter on the same 

 side. When the danger becomes more imminent 

 by the sanguine army, after receiving repeated 

 reinforcements, rushing upon the phalanx of the ne- 

 groes, and pressing them back to the very gates of 

 the city, the latter, alter a spirited stand, give way, 

 and seizing upon the pupae, deposited with that 

 view on the outside, convey them to a place of safety. 

 The invaders pursue and endeavour to rob them of 

 their treasure. 



' The whole body of the negroes are now in flight; 

 yet a few, more courageous than their fellows, re- 

 turn through the ranks of the enemy, at the hazard 

 of their lives, and once more enter their encamp- 

 ment to bring off the larvae that would otherwise be 

 devoted to pillage. The sanguine ants are now, 

 indeed, in the very act of descending into the inte- 

 rior, taking possession of the avenues, and ap- 

 pearing to establish themselves in the abandoned 

 city. Little bands of troops continually pour in 

 from the garrison and begin taking away the re- 

 mainder of the larvae and pupae, establishing an un- 

 interrupted chain from one ant-hill to the other : 

 thus the day passes, and night comes on, before they 

 have transported all their booty. A considerable 

 number of sanguine ants still remain in the negro 

 residence, and on the following morning, at break 

 of day, recommence the transfer of the rest of its 

 contents.'* 



It would appear, from some notices collected by 

 Kirby and Spence, that some hints at least of these 

 extraordinary proceedings were known to our English 



* Huber, ut supra, p. 337, 



