326 HABITS AND INSTINCTS OP ANIMALS. CHAP. X. 



(330.) The rufous or rufescent ant (.F. rufescens 

 Lat.), as well as the red species, do not undertake these 

 marauding expeditions for the purpose of enslaving 

 adults, but to get possession of the helpless infants of 

 the colony they attack, that is, the larvae and pupae. 

 These they educate in their own nests, till they arrive 

 at their perfect state, when they commence their servi- 

 tude. The species now under consideration do not go 

 on these expeditions until the males are ready to emerge 

 into the perfect state ; and it is very remarkable, that, 

 if any individual attempt to do this before, they are 

 detained by the slaves they already possess, who will 

 not suffer them to proceed. Without this wonderful 

 provision of Providence, the black colonies would soon 

 be extirpated, for they would be pillaged when they 

 contained only males and females ; while their assail- 

 ants would derive no benefit, since they would find no 

 neuters. It is generally about five o'clock, on a fine, 

 warm summer afternoon, that these expeditions take 

 place. Previous to marching, there is reason to think 

 they send out spies, who return with information of 

 the route to be pursued. They have various preparatory 

 signals, such as pushing each other with their head 

 or jaws, or playing with the antennae; the object of 

 which is, probably, to excite their courage, to give the 

 word for marching, or indicate the route. The advanced 

 guard usually consists of eight or ten ants ; but no 

 sooner do they get beyond the nest, than they move 

 back, wheeling round in a semicircle, and then mix with 

 the main body, while others succeed to their station. 

 They have " no captain, overseer, or ruler," as Solomon 

 observes ; their army being composed entirely of neu- 

 ters. Thus all, in their turn, take their place at the 

 head, and then, falling into the rear, make room for 

 others. This is their usual order of march ; and the 

 object of it may probably be, to communicate intelli- 

 gence more easily through the whole army. After 

 wending through the grass for about thirty feet from 

 their nest they disperse, and, like dogs upon the scent, 



