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IXSECT ARCHITECTURE. 



" In further noticing the apertures of these ant-hills, I 

 fully ascertained the nature of the labour of its inhabitants, 

 of which I could not before even guess the pui-port; for 

 the surface of the nest presented such a constant scene of 



agitation, and so many insects were occupied in carrying 

 materials in every direction, that the movement offered no 

 other image than that of confusion. 



" I saw then clearly that they were engaged in stopping 

 up passages ; and for this purpose they at first brought 

 forward little pieces of wood, which they deposited near 

 the entrance of those avenues they wished to close ; they 

 placed them in the stubble ; they then went to seek other 

 twigs and fragments of wood, which they disposed above 

 the first, but in a different direction, and appeared to choose 

 pieces of less size in proportion as the work advanced. 

 They, at length, brought in a number of dried leaves, and 

 other materials of an enlarged form, with which they covered 

 the roof : an exact miniature of the art of our builders, when 

 they form the covering of any building. Nature, indeed, 

 seems everywhere to have anticipated the inventions of 

 which we boast, and this is doubtless one of the most simple. 



