s 227 



den at this place, and express all the signs of fear and 

 distrust. Their march is suspended, till some cater- 

 pillar, more bold than the rest, crosses over the spoiled 

 path : the thread she spreads in crossing serves as a 

 bridge for the next to pass over. This, in passing, 

 spreads another thread ; a third another, and thus the 

 way is soon repaired. 



Yet there is a great difference between the method of 

 the republican caterpillars, and that of Theseus. They 

 do not spread a carpet over their paths to prevent their 

 missing their way ; but they do not miss their way, be- 

 cause they spread such a carpet : they spin continually, 

 because they have always occasion to evacuate the silky 

 matter, which their nourishment produces again? and 

 which is inclosed in their intestines. By satisfying this 

 want, they are assured of being in the right path, with- 

 out attending to it. The construction of the nest is 

 likewise connected with this want. Its architecture is 

 adapted to the form of the animal, to the structure and 

 exercise of his organs, and to his particular circum- 

 stances. 



14. Ants seek their provisions and aliment at a great 

 distance from their abode : various paths, which are 

 often very winding and intricate, terminate at their nest. 

 The ants pass over them in rows, without ever missing 

 their way, any more than the republican caterpillars: 

 like the latter, they leave tracks wherever they pass^ 

 These are not discernible to the eye ; they are much 

 more sensible to the smell ; and it is well known that 

 ants have a ,very penetrating, one. However, if we 

 draw a finger several times backwards and forwards 

 along the wall by which the ants pass and repass up and 

 down in rows, they will be stopped on a sudden in their 

 march, and it will afford some amusement to observe 

 the perplexity they are in. It will happen in the same 

 manner with regard to the processions of these ants, as 



