72 PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



after suffering a signal defeat, the smaller species are 

 obliged to shift their quarters, and to seek an establish- 

 ment more out of the way of danger. In order to cover 

 their march, many small bodies are then posted at a 

 little distance from the nest. As soon- as the large 

 ants approach the camp, the foremost sentinels instantly 

 jfly at them wiih the greatest rage, a violent struggle 

 ensues, multitudes of their friends come to their assist- 

 ance, and, though no match for their enemies singly, 

 by dint of numbers they prevail, and the giant is either 

 slain or led captive to the hostile camp. The species 

 "whose proceedings M. Huber observed were F. hercu- 

 lanea^lu. and F. sanguine a ^luvdw neither of which have 

 yet been discovered in Britain^. 



But if you would see more numerous armies engaged, 

 and survey war in all its forms, you must witness the 

 combats of ants of the same species, you must go into 

 the woods where the hill-ant of Gould {F. rufa^ L.) 

 erects its habitations. There you will sometimes be- 

 hold populous and rival cities, like Rome and Carthage, 

 as if they had vow ed each other's destruction, pouring 

 forth their myriads by the various roads that, like rays, 

 diverge on all sides from their respective metropolises, 

 to decide by an appeal to arms the fate of their little 

 world. As the exploits of frogs and mice were the 

 theme of Homer's muse, so, were I gifted like him, 

 might I celebrate on this occasion the exhibition of 

 Myrmidonian valour ; but, alas ! I am Davus, not 

 OGdipus; you must therefore rest contented, if I do 

 my best in plain prose ; and I trust you will not com- 

 plain if, being unable to ascertain the name of any ofl,e 



* Huber, 160. 



