39 2 THE INSECT WORLD. 



the road, and then steered their course into a field of ripe wheat, 

 whither, I regret to say, I was unable to follow them."* 



Huber adds that, having returned to the pillaged nest to examine 

 it more closely, he saw some ashy-black workers bringing back to 

 their home the few larvae which they had succeeded in saving. 

 Having later discovered the nest of these Amazons, which is the 

 name he gives to the warrior ants, he found there many of the ashy- 

 black ants living on very good terms with their kidnappers. 



The Amazons begin their expeditions at the end of June, during 

 the hottest hours of the day. They come out in long files, eight or 

 ten abreast, preceded by their scouts. These columns start at a run, 

 in a straight line, and without feeling their way. They have no 



fig, 370. Mining Ant (Formica cunicularia\ male, worker, and female. 



chieftain. The van is re-formed every moment. Those who are in 

 front do not remain there ; at the end of a certain time they go and 

 range themselves in the rear,, and are replaced by those which were 

 behind. The whole troop is thus in constant communication through 

 its entire length. Rarely does the expedition divide into two bodies. 

 Arrived under the walls of the fortress, the column halts and masses 

 itself into one corps. The assault is made with incredible im- 

 petuosity. In the twinkling of an eye the place is escaladed, 

 taken by storm, and pillaged, and the ashy-black ants are either 

 put to flight or led away into captivity. The same ant-hill may 

 be invaded as many as three times running on the same day ; 

 but then the ashy-black ants, on their guard, have barricaded them- 

 selves in, and in that case the aggressors return home without 

 pillaging them. 



The Mining Ants (Fig. 370) are less timid than the ashy-black ; 

 and, as they defend themselves with more energy, there are frequently 

 deadly combats, and the field of battle is left covered with heads, 

 legs, and limbs, scattered about here and there with the dead and 



* " Recherches sur les Mceurs des Fourmis indigenes," p. 210. Paris, 1810. 



