6 Rev. Thomas S. Savage on the 



My observations were made in part at my former station (Cape 

 Palmas), where I resided nearly eight years. I have been at my 

 present station about eight months. During the first four months 

 of the latter period I was greatly annoyed by the frequent visita- 

 tions and ravages of these insects ; at one time literally driving 

 out every member of the female department of the school ; at 

 another the male department ; then the inmates of my own dwell- 

 ing ; again, attacking my horse, then my pigs, fowls, &c. &c., 

 nothing in fine possessing animal life escaping their assaults. 

 They always pounced upon us at night, and generally when our 

 senses were reposing in sleep. Occasionally we were apprised of 

 their designs at nightfall by a few suspicious individuals lurking 

 in the vicinity in advance of the main body, but mostly they took 

 us by surprise. At last their annoyance seemed to have reached 

 the highest point of our forbearance, and a resolution was forth- 

 with taken to discover their habitation, and, if possible, expel 

 them from the vicinity. Accordingly I commenced cutting over 

 the premises, and had proceeded as far as two-thirds the way 

 down the mount on which my dwellings stand, when, beneath a 

 shelving rock of decomposing granite, their haunt was discovered. 

 They had been roused by the noise and efforts of the workmen, 

 and had come forth in incalculable numbers for defence, literally 

 blackening the surrounding grass and shrubbery. Lines of ants, 

 going and coming agreeably to the rules of their order, were 

 running in opposite directions. Their paths were very distinct 

 and well trodden, of about an inch in width. In other directions 

 were seen covered ways forsaken, the object of their formation no 

 longer existing, — no prey having been discovered, or, if found, 

 being disposed of, — and other regions lying open for exploration. 

 Their numbers could not be computed ; millions on millions 

 seemed to be there, besides thousands that were going and coming 

 with astonishing speed and alacrity. 



In attempting their destruction I adopted the mode of the natives, 

 which is, to ignite on the spot a collection of the dried leaves of 

 a species of Corypha (Fan Palm of this coast), about six feet in 

 diameter, and dried grass, with other combustible matter. A fire 

 of great intensity was thus kindled, which continued to burn for 

 considerable time. This I supposed would be the last of our 

 troublesome neighbours. Two days after, however, on going to 

 the spot for the purpose of examining into their domicil, I was 

 surprised to see a tree at a short distance, about eighteen inches 

 in diameter, to the height of four feet from the ground, with the 

 adjacent plants and earth, perfectly black with them. From the 



