ANIMAL KINGDOM. Ill 



become their prey, or are obliged to abandon the house. It is 

 well, then, to protect oneself and the young of the domestic 

 animals from their attacks ; in fact, the inhabitants sometimes 

 find it the wisest plan to surrender at discretion, evacuate the 

 premises, and leave them to the salutary plundering of these 

 marauders, who, after making a thorough clearance of all vermin, 

 beat an orderly retreat ; after this, the inmates may safely re- 

 enter, and for some time will be freed from their former insect 

 annoyances. When the hunter ants meet with a hollow, or a 

 rillet of water, which affords the primary element of a bridge in 

 a blade of grass, or any other slip, they immediately contrive a 

 construction to cross the same in the following manner : — A few 

 of them take a strong hold on the bank ; others come forward, 

 and are firmly held by the former by the hind legs ; fresh volun- 

 teers are attached in like manner by the latter, until a sufficient 

 number has formed a kind of chain or suspension bridge, so as to 

 reach the opposite bank. As, however, this living bridge may 

 have swerved from its direct course, or be slack, those which have 

 reached the other side give a tight strain, so as to restore the 

 original line, and render it a level floor; the bridge is also 

 rendered stronger by fresh ants forming, as it were, two or three 

 floorings, one over the other. It would seem that they manage, 

 by regular reinforcements, to relieve those that have been 

 primarily engaged in forming the bridge, without interfering 

 with its solidity. When the whole tribe has crossed over, the 

 bridge is broken up by a process the reverse to that which had 

 prevailed in its formation. 



The parasol ants are very common in the island, and in such 

 numbers in some districts as to discourage cultivators. Is the 

 parasol ant the Alt a cephalotes of Fabricius ? I am inclined to 

 admit this ; however, it does not sting, but has strong serrated 

 mandibles. There are three distinct species, one very small, 

 which deserves no peculiar notice, and two others, which may be 

 called the dark and the red ; and not only do they differ in 

 colour, but in size, their habits also being somewhat different. 

 ; The dark parasol-ant is smaller, particularly the female ; it prefers 

 inhabited places, and builds its nest in walls, under the roots of 

 | trees, and among rubbish; these nests are never very large. 

 They do not venture out, generally, during the day, but after 

 sunset. With great apparent cunning, when aware of any 



