THE ANT. 359 



of subordination, that are offered as a pattern of parsimony to 

 the profuse, and of unremitting diligence to the sluggard. 



In the experiments, however, which have been more recently 

 made, and the observations which have been taken, much of 

 their boasted frugality and precaution seems denied them : the 

 treasures they lay up are no longer supposed intended for 

 future provision ; and the choice they make in their stores, 

 seems no way dictated by wisdom. It is indeed somewhat sur- 

 prising, that almost every writer of antiquity should describe 

 this insect, as labourui^in the summer, and feasting upon the 

 produce during the winter. Perhaps, in some of the warmer 

 climates, where the winter is mild, and of short continuance, 

 this may take place ; but in France and England, these animals 

 can have no manner of occasion for a supply of winter provi- 

 sions, as they are actually in a state of torpidity during that 

 season. 



The common ants of Europe are of two or three different 

 kinds: some red, some black; some with stings, and others 

 without; such as have stings, inflict their wounds in that man- 

 ner ; such as are unprovided with these weapons of defence, 

 have a power of spurting from their hinder parts an acid pungent 

 liquor, which, if it lights upon the skin, intlames and burns it 

 like nettles. 



The body of an ant is divided into the head, breast, and belly. 

 In the head the eyes are placed, which are entirely black, and 

 under their eyes there are two small horns or feelers, composed 

 of twelve joints, all covered with a fine silky hair. The mouth 

 is furnished with two crooked jaws, which project outwards, in 

 each of which are seen incisors, that look like teeth. The 

 breast is covered with a fine silky hair, from which project six 

 legs, that are pretty strong and hairy, the extremities of each 

 armed with two small claws, which the animal uses in climb- 

 ing. The belly is more reddish than the rest of the body, which 

 is of a brown chestnut colour, shining as glass, and covered with 

 extremely fine hair. 



From such a formation, this animal seems bolder and more 

 active, for its size, than any other of the insect tribe, and fears 

 not to attack a creature often above ten times its own magnitude. 



As soon as the winter is past, in the first fine day in April, 

 the ant-hill, that before seemea a desert, now swarms with new 



2 H 2 



