THE ARMY ANTS' HOME TOWN 73 



back to the column. For the next few minutes, 

 until the scent wore off, they aroused suspicion 

 wherever they went. Meanwhile, the hyena-like 

 rove-beetles, having hedged themselves within a 

 barricade of their malodor, proceeded to feast, 

 quarreling with one another as such cowards are 

 wont to do. 



Thus I thought, having identified myself with 

 the army ants. From a broader, less biased point 

 of view, I realized that credit should be given to 

 the rove-beetles for having established themselves 

 in a zone of such constant danger, and for being 

 able to live and thrive in it. 



The columns converged at the foot of the post, 

 and up its surface ran the main artery of the 

 nest. Halfway up, a flat board projected, and 

 here the column divided for the last time, half 

 going on directly into the nest, and the other 

 half turning aside, skirting the board, ascending 

 a bit of perpendicular canvas, and entering the 

 nest from the rear. The entrance was well 

 guarded by a veritable moat and drawbridge of 

 living ants. A foot away, a flat mat of ants, 

 mandibles outward, was spread, over which every 

 passing individual stepped. Six inches farther, 

 and the sides of the mat thickened, and in the last 



