OHAP. X. ANTS IN HOUSES. 309 



our author particularly mentions one species, which is 

 not only more destructive, but more difficult to guard 

 against, since they make their approaches under ground, 

 descending below the foundations of houses, several 

 feet from the surface, and, rising again, enter the 

 dwelling through the floors. Sometimes they work into 

 the bottom of the posts composing the framework of 

 the house, and bore quite through them, following 

 the course of the fibres of the wood from the bottom to 

 the top, and then enter the building by lateral per- 

 forations. While some are employed in gutting the 

 posts, others ascend by the roads thus made, and attack 

 the rafters. If the roof is composed of thatch, a 

 common covering to the slight-built houses of the 

 country, these persevering creatures immediately 

 bring up wet clay, or build their galleries through 

 the roof in all directions ; taking up their permanent 

 dwelling, and remaining in this nest of congenial food, 

 until they know it will no longer support their weight, 

 This destruction of the roof very soon ruins the house, 

 for not only will the top fall in, but the posts become 

 so perforated as to resemble an old ship's bottom after 

 being bored by sea worms ( Teredo) ; although the 

 fibres and knotty parts, being the hardest, are left un- 

 touched. In this operation they are guided by an 

 astonishing instinct, which teaches them to know that 

 the main posts or supports of & house have a con- 

 siderable weight to support ; and that, consequently, if 

 they wish to gain possession of the roof (which is their 

 favourite station), they must not destroy the props by 

 which it is supported. Here is a perception of con- 

 sequences, a knowledge of cause and effect, which 

 is altogether inexplicable. How, then, do they coun- 

 teract the evil, and still feast upon the wood ? Their 

 method could not be excelled by the most skilful 

 architect among us. To give sufficient strength to the 

 timber, they carefully fill up all those excavations with 

 tempered mortar, leaving only such of their roads as 

 are necessary for carrying on further operations. All 

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