102 PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



finger, which has no other support than that of its two 

 extremities. One would suppose that their own weight 

 would sink them ; but it is certain that the masses re- 

 main floating during the inundation, which lasts some 

 days''. 



You must now be fully satiated with this account of 

 the constant fatigue and labour to which our little pis- 

 mires are doomed by the law of their nature ; I shall 

 therefore endeavour to relieve your mind by introdu- 

 cing you to a more quiet scene, and exhibit them to you 

 during their intervals of repose and relaxation. 



Gould tells us that the hill-ant is very fond of bask- 

 ing in the sun, and that on a fine serene morning you 

 may see them conglomerated like bees on the surface 

 of their nest, from whence, on the least disturbance, 

 they will disappear in an instant ''. M. Huber also 

 observes, after their labours are finished, that they 

 stretch themselves in the sun, where they lie heaped 

 one upon another, and seem to enjoy a short interval 

 of repose : and in the interior of an artificial nest, in 

 which he had confined some of this species, where he 

 saw many employed in various ways, he noticed some 

 reposing which appeared to be asleep*^. 



But they have not only their time for repose ; they 

 also devote some to relaxation, during which they 

 amuse themselves with sports and games. "• You may 

 frequently perceive one of these ants (F. riff//) (says 

 our Gould) run to and fro with a fellow-labourer in 

 his forceps, of the same species and colony. It appear- 

 ed first in the light of provisions ; but I was soon un- 

 deceived by observing, that after being carried for some 



' Voyagesdam I 'Jmerique Merid. i. 187. " Gould,69. ' HuberJS. 



