176 THE MOST GIFTED INSECT EACE 



As soon as it is seen that the ants are approaching the 

 houses, the inhabitants turn out, previously opening all 

 the doors, boxes, and drawers in the house. 



Just as in a military advance, a small vanguard of a 

 single ant makes its appearance, the Uhlan of the ant- 

 army, whereat the "vermin" take alarm and try to 

 escape. But the solitary adventurer is followed by 

 rapidly-increasing bodies of its companions, and the 

 house is filled with ants. They pour in from all sides, 

 penetrate into every crevice, overpower and tear to 

 pieces every living thing on the premises, and then 

 evacuate them in search of fresh prey. Not even a flea 

 is left alive, and for a few months there is peace in the 

 house. These ants generally make their foraging ex- 

 peditions at the beginning of the rainy season. 



Mr. Bates mentions that he has seen the Ecitons 

 ascend the trees, attack the great wasp-nests which hang 

 from the branches, tear them to pieces, and capture and 

 devour the inhabitants. He has also seen them laying 

 siege to the nest of one of the great burrowing ants, sink 

 a mine, pour into the nest by thousands, and drag out 

 the inhabitants. They were so determined and courage- 

 ous that when Mr. Bates picked up some of the burrowing 

 ants for his collection, the Ecitons actually pulled them 

 out of his fingers. 



The perfect organisation of the tunnelling operations 

 in this case was as remarkable as that of the army on 

 the march. The ants divided themselves into two distinct 

 bodies, one digging out the earth and forming it into 



