DONISTHORPEA. 191 



different Tracts as are proportionable to the Size and Situation of 

 their Colonies. If the Inhabitants be very numerous, as it usually 

 happens in this Species, they extend their Streets to a considerable 

 Length, (Forty Yards or more) and the Number of them shall 

 amount perhaps to four, besides several less Branches that strike 

 off from the main Tracts. Sometimes there is but one, sometimes 

 two or more grand Streets, besides the little Allies, all which 

 frequently vary in Length. In these Paths the Workers con- 

 tinually make their Progresses to and from the Colony. And you 

 may, with equal Pleasure and Certainty, observe the Variety of 

 their Provisions, their Sedulity in seeking, and Method of bringing it 

 Home. The Tracts are every Moment thronged with Multitudes 

 of industrious Ants ; we may (to compare little things with great) 

 not improperly resemble them to the busy Concourse in the Streets 

 of London, a regular Confusion. Only with this Difference, that 

 not a single Ant is unemployed, or deserves the Title of a Vagrant. 

 All are engaged for the Public Emolument, without Envy, without 

 Complaint. No other Strife, but who shall first return laden with 

 Provisions to sustain the Young. A laudable Emulation ! They 

 exert their Labours at the earliest Appearance of Spring, and 

 continue them so long as the Smiles of Autumn give leave. Nothing 

 but Severity of Weather interrupts their Processions. Amongst 

 the many Curiosities this Scene affords us, the Opportunity we have 

 of viewing their Diversity of Aliment is not the least. Numbers of 

 them come Home either with the Spoils of Insects, or the Insects 

 themselves. But far the greatest Part are distended with Juice. 

 I never could discern any fatiguing themselves with the Carriage 

 of Wheat or other Grain ; and how such a constant Delusion 

 should arise, if they delighted in Corn, is not easy to conjecture. 

 Their Manner of collecting Provisions is likewise a pleasing Amuse- 

 ment. Their Settlements are generally placed in the Bottom of a 

 Tree somewhat decayed, and in whose Neighbourhood are other 

 Trees more flourishing and verdant. Sometimes the Jet Ants 

 prefer residing in a Garden Wall replenished with Fruit. The 

 Tracts are so contrived as to pass along by such Trees as promise 

 the most Nourishment. The Labourers make Excursions from 

 their main Paths to the Trees, and having gathered what Forage 

 they can meet with, return the same Way they came. In order to 

 facilitate their Progress, they remove any Obstacles that lie in their 

 Road, as Bits of Straw, Sticks, and other Rubbish ; and also Bite 

 off the Herbs almost even with the Surface of the Ground. Thus 

 by their indefatigable Pains they suffer not the Grass to grow in 

 the Streets." 



This ant possesses a very characteristic, pungent, aromatic 

 odour, which is not unpleasant, though Gould 2 says " It may be 

 remarked that the Jet Ants have a peculiar disagreeable Smell, 

 which, I fancy, is a great Preservative to them against an Enemy " 



