PORAGtNG ANTS. 1 9 



CO destroy them ; even the art of man can not 

 conquer them. 



Among the South American Ants are several 

 species which are classed together, and called- 

 Foraging Ants. They belong to the genus 

 Eciton. They have been confounded with the 

 Saiiba Ants, just described, but their habits are 

 quite different. The real Foraging Ant, E. dre- 

 panephora, is very annoying, and very useful. 

 These insects go out from their cities in im- 

 mense armies, not very broad, but often a hun- 

 dred yards long. Officers march beside the 

 column, very busy keeping their own portion 

 of th<^ Une in order. There is an officer to 

 about twenty privates ; their white heads nod- 

 ding up and down make them quite conspicu- 

 ous. The pittas, or ant thrushes, always accom-1 

 pany these armies, picking up the Ants for their 

 own food; but still the band goes marchirg on. 

 The people know that the Ants are on the war 

 path, and make every preparation for theii 

 reception. 



in those countries, insects of every kind get 



