SOME QUEER AND TROUBLESOME NEIGHBORS. 55 



ried it along, would remind one of the Dutch artist's 

 celebrated picture. When he delivered it to his 

 patron, who had ordered a painting of the Israelites 

 crossing the Red Sea, there was nothing visible but a 

 'broad expanse of water. 



'' But where are the Israelites ? " demanded the 

 astonished purchaser. 



" Oh, they are all gone over." 

 " But the Egyptians, where are they ? " 

 "Why, they are all drowned! Only the sea is 

 left, and that is before you." 



These insects, which are known as the great-headed 

 red ants, not only use their powerful scissors-jaws upon 

 the leaves of trees and plants, but should they find a 

 tablecloth or handkerchief, or anything of that kind 

 on the ground, will cut out of it neat little semicircu- 

 lar holes, taking the pieces away to their nests. 

 Whether or not they use these bits of cloth for lining 

 their nests, or put them to their proper use as napkins 

 and handkerchiefs, I can not say. 



At certain seasons of the year, however, the In- 

 dians of Brazil make barbarous reprisals for all their 

 devastations. " Then," says Mr. Wallace, " the female 

 ants come out of their holes in great numbers, and are 

 caught by the Indians by the basketful. The insects 

 are very sluggish, and never fly, though furnished at 

 the time with wings. When they come out there is 

 great excitement in the Indian village, all the young 

 men, women, and children setting themselves to the 

 catching of the 'saubas,' as they call them. They 

 are kept in calabashes and bottle-shaped baskets, 



