184 EDGE OF THE JUNGLE 



philas cannot all live in a single nest, and we 

 realize that there must come a crisis, when they 

 pass out into a strange world of terrible light 

 and multitudes of foes. For these pampered, 

 degenerate roaches to find another Atta nest un- 

 aided, would be inconceivable. In the big nest 

 which I excavated I observed them on the back 

 and heads not only of the large soldiers, but also 

 of the queens which swarmed in one portion of 

 the galleries ; and indeed, of twelve queens, seven 

 had roaches clinging to them. This has been 

 noted also of a Brazilian species, and we sud* 

 denly realize what splendid sports these humble 

 insects are. They resolutely prepare for their 

 gamble — Vaventure magnifique — the slenderest 

 lighting chance, and we are almost inclined to 

 forget the irresponsible implacability of instinct, 

 and cheer the little fellows for lining up on this 

 forlorn hope. When the time comes, the queens 

 leave, and are off up into the unheard-of sky, 

 as if an earthworm should soar with eagle's feath- 

 ers ; past the gauntlet of voracious flycatchers and 

 hawks, to the millionth chance of meeting an 

 acceptable male of the same species. After the 

 mating, comes the solitary search for a suitable 

 site, and only when the pitifully unfair gamble 



