CHAP. X. WARS OF THE RUFOUS ANTS. 323 



number are engaged, on both sides, in taking prisoners, 

 which make vain efforts to escape, conscious of the 

 cruel fate which awaits them when arrived at the hostile 

 formicary. The spot where the battle most jages is 

 about two or three square feet in dimensions : a pene- 

 trating odour exhales on all sides ; numbers of ants are 

 lying dead, covered with venom ; others, composing 

 groups and chains, are hooked together by their legs or 

 jaws, and drag each other, alternately, in contrary di- 

 rections. These groups are formed gradually : at first, 

 a pair of combatants seize each other, and, rearing upon 

 their hind legs, mutually squirt their acid ; then closing, 

 they fall and wrestle in the dust: again recovering 

 their feet, each endeavours to drag off his antagonist. 

 If their strength be equal, they remain immovable, till 

 the arrival of a third gives one the advantage. Both, 

 however, are often succoured at the same time, and the 

 battle still continues undecided ; others take part on 

 each side, till chains are formed of six, eight, or some- 

 times ten, all hooked together, and pertinaciously strug- 

 gling for the mastery : the equilibrium remains un- 

 broken, till a number of champions from the same nest 

 arrive at once, compel them to let go their hold, and 

 the single combats recommence. At the approach of 

 night, each party gradually retreats to its own city; but 

 before the following dawn the combat is renewed with 

 redoubled fury, and occupies a greater extent of ground. 

 These daily fights continue, till, violent rains sepa- 

 rating the combatants, they forget their quarrel, and 

 peace is restored. In these engagements," observes 

 M. Huber, " the combatants exhibit the greatest fury, 

 being absorbed by one sole object, that of finding an 

 enemy to attack. What is most wonderful in this 

 history, though all are of the same make, colour, and 

 scent, every ant seemed to know those of his own 

 party ; and if, by mistake, one was attacked, it was 

 immediately discovered by the assailant, and caresses 

 succeeded to blows. Though all was fury and carnage 

 in the space between the two nests, on the other side 

 Y 2 



