The Red Ants 



paper, newspapers, keeping them in position 

 with a few small stones. In front of this car- 

 pet, which completely alters the appearance 

 of the road, without removing any sort of 

 scent that it may possess, the Ants hesitate 

 even longer than before any of my other 

 snares, including the torrent. They are com- 

 pelled to make manifold attempts, reconnais- 

 sances to right and left, forward movements 

 and repeated retreats, before venturing alto- 

 gether into the unknown zone. The paper 

 straits are crossed at last and the march re- 

 sumed as usual. 



Another ambush awaits the Amazons some 

 distance farther on. I have divided the track 

 by a thin layer of yellow sand, the ground 

 itself being grey. This change of colour alone 

 is enough for a moment to disconcert the 

 Ants, who again hesitate in the same way, 

 though not for so long, as they did before the 

 paper. Eventually, this obstacle is overcome 

 like the others. 



As 'neither the stretch of sand nor the 

 stretch of paper got rid of any scented effluvia 

 with which the trail may have been impreg- 

 nated, it is patent that, as the Ants hesitated 

 and stopped in the same way as before, they 

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