THE GREAT BLACK ANT. 311 



reflection of some sheltered gravel-walk, or ditch- 

 bank in a warm lane ; and here it darts and whisks 

 about, in seeming continual suspicion or danger; 

 starting away with angry haste, yet returning 

 immediately to the spot it had left; buffeting and 

 contending with every winged fly that approaches, 

 with a jealous, pugnacious fury, that keeps it in 

 constant agitation. This action, its long project- 

 ing proboscis, and its pretty, spotted wings, placed 

 at right angles with its body, distinguish our bom- 

 bylius from every other creature. It appears sin- 

 gularly cautious of settling on the ground. After 

 long hovering over and surveying some open spot, 

 with due deliberation and the utmost gentleness it 

 commits its long, delicate feet to the earth ; but on 

 the approach of any winged insect, or on the least 

 alarm, is away again to combat or escape. Asso- 

 ciates it has none : the approach even of its own 

 race excites its ire, and, darting at them with the 

 celerity of thought, it drives them from its haunts. 

 When a captive, it becomes tame and subdued, and 

 loses all its characteristic bustling and activity, the 

 inspiration of freedom. 



The great black ant (formica fulicjinosa) is com- 

 monly found in all little copses, animating by its 

 numbers those large heaps of vegetable fragments 

 which it collects and is constantly increasing with 

 unwearied industry and perseverance as a recep- 

 tacle for its eggs. The game-fowl, the wood- 

 pecker, the wryneck, and all the birds that feed 

 upon the little red ant, and soon depopulate the 



