294 AMAZON ANTS. 
defending their abode, and the little ones 
confided to their care, left the nest with 
the pupe, larvee, and youngest ants, took 
night in every direction, and _ literally 
covered the ground to a considerable 
distance. ‘The contest became every 
moment warmer: here the Amazons were 
endeavouring to seize the pups, which 
the Miners were removing from the seat 
of war; there the besieged were observed 
to vrest from the conquerors the fruit 
of their rapine. Confusion was at its 
height; Legionaries and Miners attacked 
each other impetuously, and often in the 
excess of their fury, deceived as to their 
object, fell upon their companions, 
whom, however, they immediately re- 
leased.. This commotion was confined 
to the rear-guard of the Legionary army; 
the main body, richly freighted, left the 
devastated city, and forming into square 
battalion, retraced their steps to their 
own citadel, constantly assailed by the 
Miners, who, for some time, continued 
the pursuit. It is only by their address, 
