14 Rev. Thomas S. Savage on the 



They are not without their uses in the economy of nature. 

 They keep down the more rapid increase of noxious insects and 

 smaller reptiles; consume much dead animal matter, which is con- 

 stantly occurring, decaying, becoming offensive, and thus vitiating 

 the atmosphere, and, which is by no means the least important 

 in the Torrid Zone, often compelling the inhabitants to keep their 

 dwellings, towns, and their vicinity, in a state of comparative 

 cleanliness. The dread of them is upon every living thing.* It 

 may be literally said that they are against every thing and every 

 thing against them. I have known my dog, on meeting them in 

 the road, instead of running any risk by leaping over them, go 

 a great distance round to avoid their well-known bite. My donkey 

 has more than once stopped so suddenly and turned, as to throw 

 me over her head, or to one side, and when urged forward, leaped 

 far over the line. 



They will soon kill the largest animal if confined. They attack 

 lizards, guanas, snakes, &c. with complete success. We have lost 

 several animals by them, — monkeys, pigs, fowls, &c. The seve- 

 rity of their bite, increased to great intensity by vast numbers, it 

 is impossible to conceive. We may easily believe that it would 

 prove fatal to almost any animal in confinement. They have been 

 known to destroy the Python natalensis, our largest serpent. When 

 gorged with prey it lies powerless for days ; then, monster as it is, 

 it easily becomes their victim. It is universally said by the natives 

 that this serpent, having disabled his victim by the fearful process 

 of constriction, makes a wide sweep in the vicinity in search of 

 the Drivers. If he discovers them, he abandons it to their more 

 numerous jaws ; but if not, he returns to the work of engorge- 

 ment. This account, whether true to the letter or not, gives a 

 good idea of the dread with which it inspires the different orders 

 of animals. 



In a recent attack they killed a snake under my house about 

 four feet long. It made its way out, but, seemingly incapable of 

 progression, could not make its way off. Its motions were such 

 as to lead to the conclusion that it was blind. It writhed and 

 twisted instead of going forward, giving the ants time to accumu- 

 late, and thus by numbers overpower it. It is very probable 

 that, with one stroke of their jaws, they destroyed the power of 

 vision, and brought it immediately within their grasp. 



Their entrance into a house is soon known by the simultaneous 



* It is stated by my native interpreter that a certain species of Julus, which 

 emits a peculiar odour, if thrown into their domicil, will cause them to abandon it. 

 lis truth remains to be proved. 



