Habits of the " Drivers'' of West Africa. 9 



the second class there is not only this gradual penetration, but at 

 the same time a lacerating and cutting of the flesh, with an ap- 

 proximation of the jaws at each eflort. This difference in their 

 form and motion in the two classes led me to infer a difference of 

 duties or office in their economy. This impression has been con- 

 firmed by repeated observations. To the first class, it would 

 appear, is assigned the defence of the community ; it is theirs also 

 to attack and disable their prey. Tiie second lacerate and cut 

 the flesh, and are assisted by the first in tearing it off. Upon 

 the third, who appear to be especially the labourers, devolves the 

 burthen of transportation, whether of prey or pupas. They are 

 seen to be assisted often by the second class, and, when the prey 

 is too large for either, the first is called in. In the small vial sent 

 herewith will be found the different classes, as they were captured 

 in the act of transportation, with the different articles of prey had at 

 tlie time in their jaws. But one specimen of Class 1 will be found 

 among them; this was captured with the leg of a locust, evidently 

 just taken and rent asunder (which is in the vial), too large to be 

 transported by the smaller classes. 



Whenever a stream of water intercepts their course in their 

 excursions and migrations, if it should not be extensive they 

 compass it, but if otherwise, they make a line or chain of one an- 

 other, gradually extending themselves by numbers across, till a 

 connection is formed with the opposite side, and thus a bridge is 

 constructed, over which the main body passes in safety. 



There is another habit equally interesting that may be men- 

 tioned in this connection. It has been asserted of other species 

 of the Formicidce in South America, though doubted by in-door 

 naturalists at home. Our seasons are divided into " wet" and 

 " dry," each making up in a general way half of the year. During 

 the former we frequently have violent and continued rains, so that 

 the low grounds, either directly from this cause, or the sudden 

 swelling of the rivers, are overflowed for days. The Drivers de- 

 light in rather low localities, generally on the side, but near the 

 base of hills ; consequently they are liable to be driven from their 

 haunts for self-preservation. In such an emergency they throw 

 themselves into a rounded mass, deposit their " feebler folk," pupae 

 and eggs in the centre, and thus float upon the water till a place 

 of safety is reached, or the flood subsides. Even in situations 

 beyond this overflow they must be deluged in their holes for days, 

 so copious and incessant are the rains at titnes ; and one would 

 suppose that, under such circumstances, vast numbers must perish. 

 Some undoubtedly do ; but the Lord, in this as in other orders in 



