74 PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



attack. What is most wonderful in this history, though 

 all are of the same make, colour, and scent, every ant 

 seemed to know those of his own party ; and if by mistake 

 one was attacked, it was immediately discovered by the 

 assailant, and caresses succeeded to blows. Though all 

 was fury and carnage in the space between the two nests, 

 on the other sicfe the paths were full of ants going to and 

 fro on the ordinary business of the society, as in a time 

 of peace ; and the whole formicary exhibited an appear- 

 ance of order and tranquillity, except that on the quarter 

 leading to the field of battle crowds might always be seen, 

 either marching to reinforce the army of their compa- 

 triots, or returning home with the prisoners they had 

 taken ^, which it is to be feared are the devoted victims 

 of a cannibal feast. 



Having, I apprehend, satiated you with the fury and 

 carnage of Myrmidonian wars, I shall next bring forward 

 a scene still more astonishing, which at first, perhaps, you 

 will be disposed to regard as the mere illusion of a lively 

 imagination. What will you say when I tell you that cer- 

 tain ants are affirmed to sally forth from their nests on 

 predatory expeditions, for the singular purpose of pro- 

 curing slaves to employ in their domestic business ; and 

 that these ants are usually a ruddy race, while their slaves 

 themselves are black ? I think I see you here throw down 

 my letter and exclaim — " What ! ants turned slave-deal- 

 ers ! This is a fact so extraordinary and improbable, 

 and so out of the usual course of nature, that nothing but 

 the most powerful and convincing evidence shall induce 

 me to believe it." In this I perfectly approve your cau- 

 tion ; such a solecism in nature ought not to be believed 

 " See Huber, chap. v. 



