UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 289 



to blossom, and sowing sundry annuals. In 

 short, everything is alive, and everybody anxious 

 not to lose a moment while the weather is so 

 favourable. 



30th. I have been reading all the accounts I 

 could find of ants ; and am surprised to find 

 how many curious circumstances there are in 

 the history of some of the species of this coun- 

 try, and of France. 



Frederick knew where there was an ant-hill, 

 and took me there, when they began to revive 

 on a sunny day, a few weeks since. We ob- 

 served numbers coming out of the ground, as 

 if roused by the warmth, and assembling in 

 crowds on the top of their nest; they were in 

 continual motion, walking over it and even over 

 one another, and yet without quitting the spot. 

 This lasted for a few days, and then they began 

 to repair the upper stories of their dwelling, 

 which had been spoiled by rain and snow. We 

 frequently watch them, and they appear to be 

 incessantly engaged at this work till it is quite 

 dark. 



They certainly give us an example of perse- 

 verance ; but their foresight in laying up a store 

 of grain for winter is now considered to be 

 an unfounded idea ; for they are nearly torpid 

 during the winter, and do not require provisions. 

 May it not be said, however, that they shew 



VOL. ir. c 



