340 INSECT MISCELLANIES. 



struck against each other when they met, and had al- 

 ways their mandibles separated in the attitude of defi- 

 ance. As soon as the Herculean ants approached their 

 camp, the sentinels in front assailed them with fury. 

 They fought at first in single combat. A sanguine 

 ant threvv itself upon a Herculean, fastened upon its 

 head, turned its abdomen against the chest of its 

 adversary, or against the lower part of its mouth, 

 and inundated it with venom. It sometimes quitted 

 its antagonist with great quickness; more frequently, 

 however, the Herculean ant held between its feet its 

 audacious enemy. The two champions then rolled 

 themselves in the dust, and struggled violently. 

 The advantage was at first in favour of the largest 

 ant ; but its adversary was soon assisted by those of 

 its own party, who collected around the Herculean 

 ant, and inflicted several deep wounds with their 

 teeth. The Herculean ant yielded to numbers ; it 

 either perished the victim of its temerity, or was 

 conducted a prisoner to the enemy's camp*." 



Not the least wonderful circumstance connected 

 with these insect battles is the instinct which enables 

 each ant to know its own party, more particularly 

 when the combatants on both sides are of the same 

 species, and thousands of individuals mingle in the 

 strife, who appear, at least to our senses, to be pre- 

 cisely alike in shape, size, and colour. Sometimes, 

 indeed, according to Huber, they do attack those of 

 their own party, but on recognising them imme- 

 diately relax their hold ; while it often happens that 

 the individuals who have been the sufferers from 

 this temporary error, caress their companions for 

 the purpose, it would appear, of appeasing their 

 anger. 



The warfare, however, is conducted in various 

 manners according to the genius of the species 

 * Huber on Ants, p. 187. 



