THE RAINS 103 



the wood was covered with a perfect network of narrow 

 grooves. The grooves all eventually terminated in 

 small, round holes that seemed to descend into the 

 interior of the tree. The grooves were now crowded 

 with young white ants in all stages of development. 

 In some the wings had not yet appeared ; in others they 

 were but half formed ; but multitudes had their wings 

 not only completely formed, but also unfolded. And 

 these ants were hurrying along the grooves to join the 

 flying throng outside. 



I remained for some time watching the ants. So long 

 as I remained the ants continued to issue from the 

 tree in undiminished numbers. All as they issued 

 joined the ascending column, mounted high in the 

 air, and as they spread around and slowly descended, 

 they seemed to form a thin, delicate, living veil. As the 

 ants reached the ground they spread out their wings to 

 their utmost extent, and shook them violently. With 

 the shake the wings fell off, and then the little white 

 wingless creatures crawled away, either to return to the 

 nest, or to seek some place wherein to found a new one. 



But, whatever their destination, I fancy that but few 

 reached it. Scores of birds, attracted by the sight of 

 the swarm, were sitting or hovering around. To them 

 and to other enemies, no doubt, the vast majority of 

 the ants would eventually fall victims. 



The whole spectacle of this issue of the swarm was 

 very interesting, and as regarded the upward flight and 

 descent of the ants it was extremely pretty. It was a 

 spectacle also that gave rise to many reflections, some 

 of them a little melancholy. 



