400 THE ANT. 



terpillar appears to be the favourite of this animal, and 

 thousands of them are destroyed every year ; for the 

 vivifying warmth derived from its body very soon ani- 

 mates the eggs with life, and the young ones begin de- 

 vouring the form that sustained them, the moment they 

 are able to move or eat. 



OF THE ANT. 



The common ants of Europe are of two or three dif- 

 ferent kinds, some red, some black, some with and 

 some without stings; and those which are unprovided 

 with these weapons of defence, have the power of spurt- 

 ing a pungent liquor from their hinder parts, which 

 creates a great degree of irritation upon the skin. 



Like the bees, they are divided into three classes ; 

 the males, females, and the neutral, or working tribe, 

 which are all easily distinguished from each other either 

 by their wings or size : the females are much larger 

 than the males, and both are generally furnished with 

 four wings : the working ants are much smaller than 

 either ; and, from being destitute of wings, are inca- 

 pable of flight. 



The industry practised by this numerous body has 

 become proverbial both in ancient and modern times, 

 though the opinions which were entertained by the 

 former are now known to have been misapplied. The 

 granaries of corn which they supposed to have been 

 collected into the republic as a means of support, dur- 

 ing their winter's retreat, is now known to be brought 

 as an internal defence to their habitation, or as a sup- 

 ply to the young ones which arc not strong enough to 

 search for food, as from the time that the frigid season 

 commences they become completely torpid, and never 

 eat. 



