74 PERFECT SOCIETIES OF IJN SECTS. 



six, eight, or sometimes ten, all hooked together and 

 struggling- pertinaciously for the jnastery : the equili- 

 brium remains unbroken, till a number of champions 

 from the same nest arriving at once, compel them to let 

 go their hold, and the single combats recommence. 



At the approach of night, each party gradually re- 

 treats to its own city : but before the following dawn 

 the combat is renewed with redoubled fury, and occu- 

 pies a greater extent of ground. These daily fights 

 continue till, violent rains separating the combatants, 

 they forget their quarrel, and peace is restored. Such 

 is the account given by M. Huber of a battle he wit- 

 nessed. In these engagements, he observes, their fury 

 is so wrought up, that nothing can divert them from 

 their purpose. Though he was close to them examin- 

 ing their proceedings, they paid not the least attention 

 to him, being absorbed by one sole object, that of find- 

 ing an enemy to 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 im- 

 mediately discovered by the assailant, and caresses sue-' 

 ceeded to blows. Though all was fury and carnage in 

 the space between the two nests, on the other side the 

 paths were full of ants going to and fro on the ordi- 

 narv business of the society, as in a time of peace ; and 

 the whole formicary exhibited an appearance 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 compatriots, or 

 returning home with the prisoners they had taken % 



* Sec Ilubcr, chap, v. 



