in.] WARS. 95 



In their modes of fighting, different species of ants 

 have their several peculiarities. Some also are much 

 less military than others. Myrmecina Latreillii, for 

 instance, never attack, and scarcely even defend them- 

 selves. Their skin is very hard, and they roll them- 

 selves into a ball, not defending themselves, even if 

 their nest be invaded ; to prevent which, however, they 

 make the entrances small, and often station at each a 

 worker, who uses her head to stop the way. Their smell 

 is also, perhaps, a protection. Tetramorium ccespitum 

 has the habit of feigning death. This species, however, 

 does not roll itself up, but merely applies its legs and 

 antennae closely to the body. 



Formica rufa, the common horse ant, attacks in 

 serried masses, seldom sending out detachments, while 

 single ants scarcely ever make individual attacks. 

 They rarely pursue a flying foe, but give no quarter, 

 killing as many enemies as possible, and never hesitating, 

 with this object, to sacrifice themselves for the common 

 good. 



Formica sanguinea, on the contrary, at least in 

 their slave-making expeditions, attempt rather to terrify 

 than to kill. Indeed, when they are invading a nest, 

 they do not attack the flying inhabitants, unless the 

 latter are attempting to carry off pupse, in which case 

 they are forced to abandon these. When fighting, they 

 attempt to crush their enemies with their mandibles. 



Formica exsecta is a delicate, but very active species* 

 They also advance in serried masses, but in close 

 quarters they bite right and left, dancing about to 

 avoid being bitten themselves. When fighting with 

 larger species, they spring on to their backs, and then 



