48 ANTS. 



while some of them beat repeatedly with their 

 forceps upon the building, and make a small 

 vibrating noise, something shriller and quicker 

 than the ticking of a watch. If they get hold 

 of any one, they will in an instant let out 

 blood enough to weigh against their whole 

 body ; and if it is the leg they wound, you 

 will see the stain upon the stocking extend an 

 inch in width. They make their hooked jaws 

 meet at the first stroke, and never quit their 

 hold, but suffer themselves to be pulled away 

 by the leg, and piece after piece, without the 

 least attempt to escape. On the other hand, 

 keep out of their way, and give them no in- 

 terruption, and they will in less than half an 

 hour retire into the nest, as if they supposed 

 the wonderful monster that damaged their 

 castle to be gone beyond their reach. Before 

 they are all got in, you will see the labourers 

 in motion, and hastening in various direc- 

 tions, towards the breach, every one with a 

 burthen of mortar in his mouth, ready tem- 

 pered. This they stick upon the breach as 

 fast as they come up, and do it with so much 

 dispatch and facility, that although there are 

 thousands, or rather millions, of them, they 



