192 WARS OF ANTS. 
by others, the number of combatants di- 
minished, until their force was exhausted. 
The ants returned to the field of battle 
before dawn. ‘The groups again formed ; 
the carnage recommenced with greater 
fury than on the preceding evening, and 
the scene of combat occupied a space of 
six feet in length by two in breadth. 
Success was for a long time doubtful; 
about mid-day the contending armies had 
removed to the distance of a dozen feet 
from one of their cities, whence I con- 
clude some ground had been gained. 
The ants fought so desperately, that 
nothing could withdraw them from their 
enterprize; they did not even perceive 
my presence, and although I remained 
close to the army, none of them climbed 
upon my legs; they seemed absorbed in 
one object, that of finding an enemy 
to contend with. 
This devotion for their country, is it 
not astonishing in such little msects? 
Can we conceive how nature, has inspired 
them with such interest for the colony 
