THE ANT. 145 



furnished, they roam about for a few hours, at 

 the end of which time they lose their wings, and 

 become the prey of innumerable birds, reptiles, 

 and insects, while probably not a pair out of 

 many millions get into a place of safety, and lay 

 the foundation of a new community. lathis state 

 many fall into the neighbouring waters, and are 

 eaten with avidity by the Africans. 



The few fortunate pairs who happen to survive 

 this annual massacre and destruction, are repre- 

 sented as being casually found by some of the la- 

 bourers that are continually running about on the 

 surface of the ground, and then elected kings and 

 queens of new states. By these industrious crea- 

 tures the king and queen elect are immediately 

 protected from their innumerable enemies, by 

 being enclosed in a chamber of clay. Their " vo- 

 luntary subjects" then busy themselves in con- 

 structing wooden nurseries, or apartments en- 

 tirely composed of wooden materials, seemingly 

 joined together with gums. Into these they after- 

 wards carry the eggs produced from the queen, 

 lodging them there as fast as they can obtain 

 them from her. 



After impregnation, a very extraordinary change 

 begins to take place in her person, or rather in her 

 abdomen only. It gradually increases in bulk, 

 and at length becomes of such an enormous size 

 as to exceed the rest of her body nearly two thou- 

 sand times. 



The eggs, which to the number of eight thou- 

 sand are protruded within twenty-four hours, " are 

 instantly taken from her body by her attendants (of 



VOL. VI. K 



