A JUNGLE LABOR-UNION 167 



with every leaf-cutting gang, hastening along 

 with their larger brethren, but never doing any- 

 thing, that I could detect, at their journey's end. 

 I have a suspicion that the little Minims, who 

 are very numerous, function as light cavalry; 

 for in case of danger they are as eager at attack 

 as the great soldiers, and the leaf-cutters, ab- 

 sorbed in their arduous labor, would benefit 

 greatly from the immunity ensured by a flying 

 corps of their little bulldog comrades. 



I can readily imagine that these nestling Min- 

 ims become weary and foot-sore (like bank- 

 clerks guarding a reservoir), and if instinct al- 

 lows such abominable individuality, they must 

 often wish themselves back at the nest, for every 

 mile of a Medium is three miles to them. 



Here is where our mechanical formula breaks 

 down; for, often, as many as one in every five 

 leaves that pass bears aloft a Minim or two, cling- 

 ing desperately to the waving leaf and getting 

 a free ride at the expense of the already over- 

 burdened Medium. Ten is the extreme number 

 seen, but six to eight Minims collected on a sin- 

 gle leaf is not uncommon. Several times I have 

 seen one of these little banner-riders shift deftly 



