CH. VII.] ANTS. 127 



the north : the ants were heaped on one another, 

 enjoying- the temperature of the surface of the nest ; 

 none of them were at work. This immense multi- 

 tude of insects presented the appearance of a liquid 

 in a state of ebullition, upon which the eye had some 

 difficulty in resting : but when I examined the con- 

 duct of each ant, I saw them approach each other, 

 moving- their antennae with astonishing rapidity; 

 with slight movements of their fore-feet they patted 

 the lateral parts of the head of the other ants. After 

 these gestures, resembling caresses, they were ob- 

 served to raise themselves on their hind-legs by 

 pairs, struggle together, seize each other by a man- 

 dible, foot, or antenna, and then immediately relax 

 their hold to recommence the attack. They fast- 

 ened on the thorax, or abdomen, embraced and 

 overthrew each other, then raised themselves by 

 turns, taking their revenge without producing any 

 mischief. They did not spurt forth their venom as 

 in their hostile combats, nor retain their adversary 

 with the obstinacy which they manifest in their se- 

 rious quarrels. I frequently visited this ant-hill, 

 which almost always presented the same spectacle, 

 but I never saw any quitting it wounded or maimed : 

 thus there is reason to believe that, industrious as 

 they are, the ant has its hours of repose, and its 

 season for enjoyment ; its serious duties, and its 

 pleasurable gambols." 



Connected with the subject of the warfare of ants 

 is the history of a species of this insect, not exist- 

 ing in these islands, called, by Huber, the Amazon, 

 or Legionary Ant, the Formica rufescens of Latreille. 

 It is both warlike and powerful, and, unlike the rest 

 of the tribe, its habits are far from being industrious. 

 Enough has been said to show that the proceedings 

 of some insects so nearly resemble human actions, 

 as to excite our greatest wonder : but the habits of 

 the legionary ant are still more surprising than 

 the proceedings of the chiefs which we have just 



