BOOK III. CHAP. Vlll. 889 



The ufual method of deftroying them is by throwing a very 

 fmall portion of arfeiiic in at a hole made into their nefl-, or covert- 

 way, mixed with fugar ; which loon kills the whole focicty. 



They are excellent food for yoong poultry; and their nefl?, 

 burned to aflies, yield a very fine and (hong lixivium, which might 

 be made ufe of for many purpofes. If the fubftance of the mate- 

 rials could be diliblved by boiling in water, or maceration, I doubt 

 not but it might be caft in moulds, and adapted to a great variety 

 of ingenious manufadures, as Inufl-boxes, toothpick-cafes, toilet- 

 boxes, and the like. It is likewife worth experimenting, whether 

 a cold or hot infufion in fpirit of wine would foften it. 



332. Sugar-Ant. 



This minute infetft is to be found in moft houfes, and feems to 

 have a peculiar attachm.ent to fyrups, preferves, and all fugared 

 dainties. In order to (top their march, it is ufual to fet the feet of 

 a table (upon which fuch articles are laid) in little troughs, or pans, 

 of water : but fuch is their liquorifli appetite, that many dozens 

 perifli in attempting to crofs the water. If fuch articles are kept 

 in a fafe, or fufpended (helf, an old wig, or a bottle, is fixed at the 

 bottom of the cord. The entangled hairs of the former perplex 

 their journey fo much, that they rarely get to the end of it ; and 

 the glafs is too flippery to afford them a pafl'age. 



333. Black Stinging Ant. 



Thefe are mod troublefome in fome of the country-houfes, 

 where they frequently con{lru<f^ their nefts under the floors, and 

 endeavour to participate of the good cheer. They feed on flefh, as 

 well as vegetables, and will foon make a fkeleton of the carcafes of 

 lizards, and other fmall animals, placed near their haunt. This is 

 the fpecies which gave fuch annoyance to the Spaniards, at their 

 firft fettlement at Melilla, as to occafion their removal. Their bite, 

 or fting, is very acute, though but momentarily painful. They 

 are deftroyed, like the wood-ant, by arfenic, mixed with fugar, or 

 fyrup. Quickfilver is equally fatal to them. 



334. Book-Worm. 



The infect, which gives birth to this worm, Is of the fmalleryr«2- 



rabaus kind, and is fond of depofiting its eggs in books newly- 



VoL. III. 5 X bound. 



