PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 105 



rf^ealed itself and its antagonist in the nest. I soon no- 

 ticed another that had recourse to the same manceuvres ; 

 but in this instance the ant that was attacked resisted 

 manfully, a third sometimes appearing inclined to inter- 

 fere : the result was, that this also was dragged in. A 

 third was haled in by its legs, and a fourth by its man- 

 dibles. What was the precise object of these proceed- 

 ings, whether sport or violence, I could not ascertain. I 

 walked the same way on the following morning, but at 

 an earlier hour, when only a few comers and goers were 

 to be seen near the nest :" And soon leaving the place, 

 I had no further opportunity to attend to them. 



And now having conducted you through every apart- 

 ment of the formicary, and shown you its inhabitants in 

 every light, I shall leave you to meditate on the extra- 

 ordinary instincts with which their Creator has gifted 

 them, reserving what I have to say on the other social 

 insects for a future occasion. 



I am, &c. 



