28 ABOUT ANTS. 



natives protected themselves by making circles 

 of fire and standing inside. Before morning 

 the insects had eaten every thing they could 

 get, and had traveled on. 



J) 11 ring the abundant tropical rains the Drivers 

 run together and form themselves into balls, vary- 

 ing in size, but usually about as large as those 

 used in the game of ball. These balls of ants 

 float upon the water until the land appears 

 again, and the insects can go about their busi- 

 ness. The natives try to destroy them by mak- 

 ing fires over and about their nests. This does 

 not accomplish much, for the cunning ants 

 escape before the heal becomes too great, and 

 will be found hanging in festoons upon the 

 neighboring trees, and crossing from one to 

 another by their chain bridges. 



These ants are black, with a tinge of red. 

 They have enormous heads, equaling about 

 one third of their entire length. The jaws are 

 sharply curved, and cross each other when 

 closed, so that if the ant has fixed itself, its 

 hold can not be loosened unless the jaws are 



