THE ANTS. 



53 



The latter is not an easy task, but I can recommend dropping 

 kerosine oil into their holes. 



The large black ant, already mentioned, is more or less a 

 house ant also. I do not like it. The way it cocks its tail 

 over its head is offensive, and it has a cantankerous temper. 

 Then its officiousness and consequential airs are simply 

 insufferable. It is perpetually quarrelling with a straw or 

 getting insulted by a feather. 



Of all the various species of these wonderful little beings 

 there is not one, I think, that impresses you more than the 

 hunting ant. It is, unfortunately, not a house ant. It just 

 invades the house at times, does its short sharp work, and 

 is gone again. In these expeditions they always march in 

 column, three abreast, with rapid steps and terrible earnest- 

 ness of purpose. Not one wanders or lags behind. Sugar 

 entices them not ; stores have no attractions for them. 

 Straight as General Roberts they make for some ancient 

 trunk in whose chinks and crannies the outlawed cock- 

 roach and overgrown cricket have long skulked secure 

 from my avenging slipper. Now their hour is come. With 

 the rapidity of perfect system a guard is stationed at each 

 hole and crevice, and then the main body of ants pours 

 itself into the box. Then begins a panic. The cockroach, 



