26 



ABOUT ANTS. 



marches through the forest in lines about two 

 inches broad, and of incredible length. On(? 

 writer asserts that he has seen a column of 

 |these insects continue passing a single point, 

 at good speed, for twelve hours. Officora 

 march along the line and maintain order. If 

 the advance guard come to an open place, not 

 shaded by trees, the}^ build a covered way, or 

 tunnel, of dirt moistened with their saliva. K 

 there are sticks and leaves on the ground, they 

 fill up only the spaces which are exposed, for 

 the direct rays of the sun kill th^m very 

 quickly. If a stream crosses their path, they 

 make a bridge of themselves, over which the 

 whole pass. First a single Ant swings himself 

 from the branch of a tree which overhangs the 

 water. Then another crawls over him, and 

 hangs from his feet. Others follow until a 

 living chain is formed which reaches to the 

 water, and rests upon it. Then the wiild 

 or the current wafts the free end of the chain 

 about until it touches the opposite shore, and 

 the crossing is complete. If one chain bridge 



