PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 73 



battle most rages is about two or three square feet in di- 

 mensions : a penetrating odour exhales on all sides, 

 numbers of ants are here lying dead covered with ve- 

 nom, others, composing groups and chains, are hooked 

 together by their legs or jaws, and drag each other alter- 

 nately in contrary directions. These groups are formed 

 gradually. At first a pair of combatants seize each other, 

 and rearing upon their hind-legs mutually spirt their acid, 

 then closing they fall and wrestle in the dust. Again re- 

 covering their feet, each endeavours to drag, off his an- 

 tagonist. If their strength be equal, they remain irn- 

 moveable, till the arrival of a third gives one the advan- 

 tage. Both, however, are often succoured at the same 

 time, and the battle still continues undecided others 

 take part on each side, till chains are formed of six, 

 eight, or sometimes ten, all hooked together and strug- 

 gling pertinaciously for the mastery : the equilibrium 

 remains unbroken, till a number of champions from the 

 same nest arriving at once, compel them to let go their 

 hold, and the single combats recommence. At the ap- 

 proach of night, each party gradually retreats to its own 

 city: but before the following dawn the combat is renewed 

 with redoubled fury, and occupies a greater extent of 

 ground. These daily fights continue till, violent rains se- 

 parating the combatants, they forget their quarrel, and 

 peace is restored. 



Such is the account given by M. Huber of a battle he 

 witnessed. In these engagements, he observes, their fury 

 is so wrought up, that nothing can divert them from their 

 purpose. Though he was close to them examining their 

 proceedings, they paid not the least attention to him, being 

 absorbed by one sole object, that of finding an enemy to 



