VISITORS 65 



commenced to shift their ground and make feints of 

 attack with their front legs, just in the manner of two 

 prizefighters. This went on for a minute or more ; then 

 one of the combatants made a sudden rush forward and 

 caught the other by one of his antennae. I am sorry 

 to say that my notes do not record the further progress 

 of the engagement nor its final result, but they do 

 that of another combat. 



This last combat was being waged between two very 

 unequally matched antagonists — a large ant and a 

 very small one. It had apparently been going on for 

 some time ; and, contrary to what might have been 

 expected, the small ant had as yet got much the best 

 of it. He had somehow managed to seize his large 

 antagonist by one of his hind legs, and from this 

 position, do what he would, the large ant was unable 

 to dislodge him. He made desperate efforts ; but he 

 could neither shake the small ant off nor rub him off, 

 nor could he turn his own head sufficiently far round to 

 bite him. 



I remained for some time watching the engagement, 

 in fact till the increasing heat of the sun's rays warned 

 me that it was time to retreat to the house. Then, 

 as I was most anxious to see how the affair would 

 terminate, I sent for a large saucer. I raised the large 

 ant gently, and deposited him in the saucer, the small 

 ant still clinging firmly to his leg. I then carried the 

 saucer to the house, and placed it in a niche in the 

 verandah. The edges of the saucer, I should mention, 

 were too high and too smooth for the ants to climb 

 over. 



F 



