Habits of the " Drivers'' of West Africa. 3 



described as proceeding from dense masses of the travelling aiits 

 near or at the locality." — (page 123.) There can be no doubt 

 that he speaks here of the " Driver ;" but he is much mistaken, 

 and we would account for it on the ground that he founded his 

 statement on the representations of such inaccurate observers as 

 the native Africans. I readily recognize the odour of which he 

 speaks ; but if it proceeds from an ant at all, it is from another 

 similar in size, colour and aspect to the largest class of the 

 " Drivers." It passes among the colonists at Cape Palmas under 

 the vulgar name of " Bug-a-bug" (which appellation also they 

 give to the Termes fatale). It does not, however, go forth in 

 masses ; indeed it does not exist in large numbers, and is com- 

 paratively rare. It is the impression of the colonists at Cape 

 Palmas that " the stench " spoken of by Mr. Clark proceeds from 

 this " bug-a-bug;" but it is often perceptible to an extent too 

 great for this always to be the fact. On riding through the low 

 grounds after a rain, or in the morning, it may be detected ; but 

 in such cases it undoubtedly has its source in the decay of animal 

 matter. The Drivers emit no perceptible odour j)er se ; did they, 

 it would be absolutely intolerable in a dwelling-house to a person 

 of delicate nerves, so great are their numbers. If this disagree- 

 able odour is ever perceived among them, it must arise from their 

 prey being in a putrescent state. 



I have made these remarks, in passing, solely for the purpose of 

 correction, and would here observe that Mr. Clark gives us in this 

 instance, though unintentionally, a good specimen of the way in 

 which the numerous loose and inaccurate statements that are 

 abroad have arisen respecting this anomalous country, its produc- 

 tions and capabilities. 



It is very probable that the insect referred to by Messrs. Kirby 

 and Spence, on the 100th page of the 2nd volume of their Intro- 

 duction, (the few particulars respecting which being derived from 

 Prof. Afzelius,) is the one in question. 



I think it is that, without doubt, of which Mr. Smeathman 

 speaks when he says, " one species which seems at times to have 

 no fixed habitation ranges about in vast armies. By being fur- 

 nished with very strong jaws they can attack any animal whatever 

 that impedes their progress, and there is no escape but by imme- 

 diate flight or instant retreat to the water. The inhabitants of the 

 negro villages are frequently obliged to abandon their dwellings, 

 taking with them their children, &c., and wait till the ants have 

 passed." — Swainson's Geography and Classification of Animals, 

 p. 100, from the Preface to Drury's Insects, vol. iii. 



B 2 



