398 THE INSECT WOELT). 



files, eight or ten abreast, preceded by their scouts. These 

 columns start at a run, in a straight line, and without feeling 

 their way. They have no chieftain. The van is re-formed every 

 moment. Those who are in front do not remain there ; at the end 

 of a certain time they go and range themselves in the rear, and 

 are replaced by those which were behind. The whole troop is 

 thus in constant communication throughout its entire length. 

 Harely does the expedition divide into two bodies. Arrived 

 under the walls of the fortress, the column halts and masses itself 

 into one corps. The assault is made with incredible impetuosity. 

 In the twinkling of an eye the place is escaladed, taken by 

 storm, and pillaged, and the ashy-black ants either put to flight 

 or led away into captivity. The same ant-hill may be invaded 

 as many as three times running on the same day ; but then the 

 ashy-black ants, on their guard, have barricaded themselves in, 

 and in that case the aggressors return home without pillaging 

 them. 



The Mining ants (Fig. 370) are less timid than the ashy-black, 

 and as they defend themselves with more energy, there are fre- 



Fig. 370. Mining Ant (Formica cuniculariu), male, worker, and female. 



quently deadly combats, and the field of battle is left covered with 

 heads, legs, and limbs scattered about here and there, with the 

 dead and wounded. The miners pursue the pillagers, and snatch 

 their plunder from them. But they are sometimes driven back 

 vigorously, and the russet ants gain their lair with their plunder. 

 The tactics of the Red ants (Formica sanguined) differ from those 

 of the russet. They only sally forth in small detachments, which 

 begin by engaging in skirmishes with the scouts thrown out 

 round the enemy's ant-hill. Couriers, despatched from time to 

 time to the camp of the red ants, bring up reinforcements. 

 When the troop feels itself sufficiently strong, it invades the 

 nest of the ashy-black ants, and carries off their offspring, which 

 the latter have not had time to secure. Sometimes, also, the red 



