THE ANT. 133 



must serve for all. We now, therefore, come to 

 a species of four-winged insects, that are famous 

 from all antiquity for their social and industrious 

 habits, that are marked for their spirit of subordi- 

 nation, that are offered as a pattern of parsimony 

 to the profuse, and of unremitting diligence to 

 the sluggard. 



In the experiments, however, which have been 

 more recently made, and the observations which 

 have been taken, much of their boasted frugality 

 and precaution seems denied them : the treasures 

 they lay up are no longer supposed intended for 

 future provision, and the choice they make in 

 their stores seems no way dictated by wisdom. 

 It is indeed somewhat surprising, that almost 

 every writer of antiquity should describe this in- 

 sect as labouring in the summer, and feasting 

 upon the produce during the winter. Perhaps 

 in some of the warmer climates, where the winter 

 is mild, and of short continuance, this may take 

 place, but in France and England these animals 

 can have no manner of occasion for a supply of 

 winter provisions, as they are actually in a state 

 of torpidity during that season. 



The Common Ants of Europe are of two or 

 three different kinds ; some red, some black, 

 some with stings, and others without. Such as 

 have stings inflict their wounds in that manner ; 

 such as are unprovided with these weapons of 

 defence, have a power of spurting from their 

 hinder parts an acid pungent liquor, which, if it 

 lights upon the skin, inflames and burns it like 

 nettles. 



