330 HABITS AND INSTINCTS OF ANIMALS. CHAP. X. 



renounce all defence, and endeavour to save their pupse, 

 or young ; but they are pursued, and their enemies now 

 strive to possess themselves of the great ohject of their 

 attack. Many also enter the city, and begin carrying 

 off the young brood that had been left in it. Long 

 chains of contending ants, each assisting his comrade, 

 are now seen contending with determined courage; and 

 the battle is sometimes even continued during- part of 

 the night. Victory at length decides for the sanguine 

 ants ; and, a garrison being left in the captured city, 

 the pillage of the brood is carried on at leisure the fol- 

 lowing morning. Sometimes the conquerors find their 

 new territory so commodious, or pleasantly situated, 

 for to these pigmy multitudes a field becomes a world, 

 that they emigrate to it with all their families. The 

 predatory excursions of this species are not continued 

 longer than a month in the year, during which period 

 they make five or sfx of these expeditions ; generally 

 travelling about 1 50 paces beyond their own dominions. 

 (333.) The subsequent treatment of the ant slaves, 

 thus obtained by rapine and violence, singularly con- 

 trasts with the sanguinary conflicts which we have just 

 detailed. In this respect their example reflects disgrace 

 and shame upon those of the human race with whom 

 the slavery of their fellow creatures is still sanctioned : 

 and here, again, is the voice of Inspiration addressed to 

 us, " Go to the ant ; and be wise." The young 

 and tender captives whom it is marvellous should 

 escape unhurt amid all the contentions of the field of 

 battle are carried to the cells of their new masters, 

 and treated with the same care and attention as the off- 

 spring of their lords. So soon as they have reached 

 may we say manhood ? " their life is passed in much 

 the same employments as would have occupied them in 

 their native residence/' They are the builders and 

 repairers of the city ; not only collecting food, but 

 attending to the females ; and undertake the proper 

 care of the eggs,, which are daily brought within the 

 influence of the warm sun. Nor is this all, for they 



