156 LIFE STORIES OF AUSTRALIAN INSECTS. 



searchiiii;- every cranny and drivinj^- out the 

 cockroaches and spiders, many of which were 

 caught, pulled or fc^tten to pieces, and carried off." 

 The same writer observed their habits in the for- 

 ests : "On the flanks and in advance of the main 

 body, smaller columns would be pushed out. These 

 smaller columns would generally flush the cock- 

 roaches, grass-hoppers and spiders. The pursued 

 insects would rapidly make off, but many in their 

 confusion and terror would bound right into the 

 midst of the main body of ants." He then de- 

 scribes how the insects Avould climb the trees and 

 for a time escape their merciless enemies, until at 

 last the ants would climb the trees and chase 

 their victims to the tips of leaves, etc, till they 

 dropped into the jaws of the main body of ants be- 

 low. Spiders sometimes escaped by spinning a 

 thread and hanging in mid-air. 



Driver Ants form living tunnels through which 

 the smaller workers pass, laden with food, 

 Savage thus describes them: "In cloudy days, when 

 on their predatory excursions, or migrating, an 

 arch for the protection of the workers, etc., is con- 

 structed by the bodies of their largest class (sol- 

 diers). Their widely-distended jaws, long slender 

 limbs, and projecting antennae intertwining, form a 

 sort of network that seems to answer well for 

 their object. Whenever an alarm is given, the 

 arch is instantly broken, and the ants, joining others 

 of the same class on the outside of the line, who 

 seem to be acting as commanders, guides, and scouts, 

 run about in a furious manner in pursuit of the 



