AMAZON ANTS. 2905 
the rapidity of their movements, and the 
use of their sting, that the Legionaries are 
enabled to disengage themselves. Ihave 
often remarked, during these combats, 
the females of the Miners take flight, 
bearing off the pupe in their mouths, 
acting in this respect like simple workers; 
but have never known them to take any 
share in defence of their nest. The 
pillage and skirmishes are not of long 
continuance ; for in less than a quarter of 
an hour, we find the Amazons on the 
road to their garrison. Notwithstanding 
the courage and exasperated state of both 
parties, but a triflmg number of ants 
perish. * 
This scene, brilliant for its extent, was 
renewed as often as the Amazons found 
the temperature friendly to their depar- 
ture. ‘The purloined pup are soon 
* If, aecording to our author, but few ants perish 
on the field of battle, I am inclined to think, thata 
considerable number die of the wounds and injuries 
they receive, shortly after their return to the 
nest. — T. 
o 4 
