l6 ABOUT ANTS. 



kinds of ants practice this kind of warfare, and 

 the results are too well attested by careful 

 observers to admit of doubt. 



Although there are many kinds, and count- 

 less numbers of Ants in the cooler countries of 

 the temperate zone, they are far surpassed in 

 number, in size, and in venomous power, by 

 those found in the hot lands of the torrid zone. 

 Here all kinds of reptile and of insect life seem 

 to be extravagantly developed, and the ants are 

 often so numerous and so powerful as to drive 

 away every other living thing. 



The Saiiba or Coushie Ant, CEcodoma cepha- 

 lotes, lives in South America. It is often called 

 the Parasol Ant. Large columns may be seen 

 marching along, each carrying in its jaws, and 

 over its head, a round piece of leaf, about the 

 size of a dime. Many suppose that this is actu- 

 ally carried to keep off the heat of the sun ; 

 but the fact is that they use the leaves to 

 thatch the roofs of their houses, and to keep 

 the loose earth from falling in. They choose 

 the leaves of cultivated trees, as the oranj2:e and 



