THE BEETLE. 373 



It often happens that these insects quit their retreat in a body, 

 and go in quest of adventures. " During my stay," says Smith, 

 " at Cape Corse Castle, a body of these ants came to pay us a 

 visit in our fortification. It was about day-break when the ad- 

 vanced guard of this famished crew entered the chapel, where 

 some negro servants were asleep upon the floor. The men 

 were quickly alarmed at the invasion of this unexpected army, 

 and prepared, as well as they could, for a defence. While the 

 foremost battalion of insects had already taken possession of the 

 place, the rear-guard was more than a quarter of a mile distant. 

 The whole ground seemed alive, and crawling with unceasing 

 destruction. After deliberating a few moments upon what was 

 to be done, it was resolved to lay a large train of gunpowder 

 along the path they had taken : by this means, millions were 

 blown to pieces ; and the rear-guard perceiving the destruction 

 of their leaders, thought proper instantly to return and make 

 back to their original habitation." 



The order which these ants observe, seems very extraordinary ; 

 whenever they sally forth, fifty or sixty larger than the rest are 

 seen to head the band, and conduct them to their destined prey. 

 If they have a fixed spot where their prey continues to resort, 

 they then form a vaulted gallery, which is sometimes a quarter 

 of a mile in length ; and yet they will hollow it out in the space 

 of ten or twelve hours. 



CHAP. VI. 



OF THE BEETLE, AND ITS VARIETIES. 



Hitherto we have been treating of insects with four trans, 

 parent wings, we now come to a tribe with two transparent 

 wings, with cases that cover them close while at rest, but which 

 allow them their proper play when flying. The principal of 

 these are the Beetle, the May-bug, and the Cantharis. These 

 are all bred like the rest of their order, first from eggs, then 

 they become grubs, then a chrysalis, in which the parts of the 

 future fly are distinctly seen ; and, lastly, the animal leaves its 

 prison, breaking forth as a winged animal in full maturity. 



2 i3 



