364 



ANIMALS OF EGA. 



Chap. V. 



attacks even the nests of other stinging species (Myr- 

 mica), but it avoids the light, moving always in conceal- 

 ment under leaves and fallen branches. When its 

 columns have to cross a cleared space, the ants construct 

 a temporary covered way with granules of earth, arched 

 over, and holding together mechanically ; under this 

 the procession passes in secret, the indefatigable crea- 

 tures repairing their arcade as fast as breaches are made 

 in it. 



Next in order comes the Eciton vastator, which has 

 no eyes, although the collapsed sockets are plainly 







Foraging ants (Eciton erratica) constructing a covered road— Soldiers sallying 

 out on being disturbed. 



visible ; and, lastly, the Eciton erratica, in which both 

 sockets and eyes have disappeared, leaving only a faint 

 ring to mark the place where they are usually situated. 

 The armies of E. vastator and E. erratica move, as far 

 as I could learn, wholly under covered roads, the ants 

 constructing them gradually but rapidly as they ad- 

 vance. The column of foragers pushes forward step 



