136 HISTORY OF 



In the mean time, the working body of the state 

 take no part in their pleasures ; they are seen dili- 

 gently going from the ant-hill, in pursuit of food 

 for themselves and their associates, and of proper 

 materials for giving a comfortable retreat to their 

 young, or safety to their habitation. In the fields 

 of England, ant-hills are formed with but little 

 apparent regularity. In the more southern pro- 

 vinces of Europe, they are constructed with won- 

 derful contrivance, and offer a sight highly worthy 

 a naturalist's curiosity. These are generally form- 

 ed in the neighbourhood of some large tree and a 

 stream of water. The one is considered by the 

 animals as the proper place for getting food ; the 

 other, for supplying them with moisture, which 

 they cannot well dispense with. The shape of 

 the ant-hill is that of a sugar-loaf, about three feet 

 high, composed of various substances, leaves, bits 

 of wood, sand, earth, bits of gum, and grains of 

 corn. These are all united into a compact body, 

 perforated with galleries down to the bottom, and 

 winding ways within the body of the structure. 

 From this retreat to the water, as well as to the 

 tree, in different directions, there are many paths 

 worn by constant assiduity, and along these the 

 busy insects are seen passing and repassing con- 

 tinually ; so that from May, or the beginning of 

 June, according to the state of the season, they 

 work continually till the bad weather comes on. 



The chief employment of the working ants, is 

 in sustaining not only the idlers at home, but also 

 finding a sufficiency of food for themselves. They 

 live upon various provisions, as well of the vege- 



