12 Rev. Thomas S. Savage on the 



in their way ; greater difficulties only rousing them to greater 

 effort. Here would be seen one dragging along a stick four times 

 its length ; there, another, pushing, then grasping and pulling along 

 a stone many times its weight ; and, when more power was requi- 

 site, others coming in to his aid, all knowing that a work was to 

 be performed, and each doing promptly his part. Thus were 

 stones, sticks, leaves and grass successively withdrawn from within 

 their line, and deposited at a distance from the scene of their 

 labours. A regular, distinct footpath was soon made visible, and 

 in readiness for the quick transportation of their prey. In the 

 meantime the largest, with an equal number of the second size, 

 were busily engaged upon the head of the fowl, depriving it of its 

 feathers. This promised to be a slow and tedious operation ; but 

 the gradual increase of feathers, and the denuded skin, were sure 

 indications of their success. The feathers were pulled out ; some- 

 times one, two and three ants would be seen tugging most lustily 

 at one, but I am inclined to think that the largest feathers were 

 extracted by lacerating the flesh at their root, though I was not 

 able to decide this point fully. Those that fell in their way were 

 borne oft' by the smaller ants ; others were made to answer as a 

 covering to their pathway, being held together by the largest size 

 or soldiers. The operation of picking began at the beak, and was 

 gradually extended backward. The neck being half stripped, 

 they then began the work of laceration at the eyes and ears. It 

 was some time before any visible impression was made, but at last, 

 though by no means so expeditiously as I expected, deep cavities 

 appeared, and muscles, membranes and tendons were reduced and 

 borne off to their habitation. The juices, and a portion of the 

 muscular fibre, I think, must be consumed on the spot at such 

 times, though the largest portion is carried to their domicil. 



At first there was considerable confusion in the lines. They 

 seemed to be incapable of keeping the right path, and even missed 

 the various entrances to their domicil. Individuals of the largest 

 class were seen to arrange themselves on either side, between 

 whom the lines of workers passed and repassed with a good de- 

 gree of order. These were acting evidently the part of guides 

 rather than guards, though at times they acted in the latter capa- 

 city also. They would place their abdomen horizontally on the 

 ground, and laying hold of fixed points with their hind feet, 

 (which together tlius acted as a fulcrum,) elevate the anterior 

 portion of their bodies to the highest point, open wide their jaws, 

 and stretch forth their antennae, which for the most part were 

 fixed, as if in the act of listening and watching for approaching 



