THE DRIVER ANTS ^5 



disturbed, they retire into the gallery, and soon 

 the workers come and repair the breach. 

 These galleries are built upon the surface of 

 the earth, and do not penetrate the soil. 



Some Ants make their nests in trees, hang- 

 ing them from the boughs, like the wasps. 

 One of these carries its abdomen in the air, 

 hanging over its back, and has acquired the 

 uncouth nameCrcmatogaster, or "hanging-belly." 

 Another is called by travelers the Green Ant, 

 (Ecojohylla vireseens. The name signifies a 

 house and a leaf, and is given because it makes 

 its hanging nest of dried leaves. When dis- 

 turbed, the Ants come pattering down upon 

 the man below like rain-dropSj seeking for 

 spots which they can woun'd, and having a 

 special faculty for finding their way down the 

 neck. 



A tribe of Ants somewhat similar to the 

 Ecilons of South America, is found in Africa, 

 and is called Bashi Kouay, or Driver Ant, 

 Anomma arcens. It is the dread of all animals, 

 from the leopard to the smallest insect. It 



