FORMICID^ — ANTS. 140 



The ancients, observing the Ants carry their pupa?, wliich 

 in shape, size, and color very much resemble a grain of 

 corn, and the ends of which they sometimes pull open to let 

 out the inclosed insect, no doubt mistook the one for the 

 other, and this action for depriving the grain of the embryo 

 of the plant. 



Some modern writers, as Addison^ and Pluche,^ it is curi- 

 ous to observe, have fallen into this ancient error ; so an- 

 cient, in fact, it is that some have supposed the Hebrew name 

 of the Ant to be derived from it.^ Among the poets, Prior 

 asks : 



Tell me, why the Ant 



In summer'' s plenty thinks of winter' s want? 



By constant journey careful to prepare 



Her stores, and bringing home the corny ear, 



By what instruction does she bite the grain? 



Lest, hid in earth, and taking root again, 



It might elude the foresight of her care.* 



Thus Watts, also : 



They don't wear their time out in sleeping or play ; 

 But gather up corn in a sunshiny day, 



And /or winter they lay tip their stores : 

 They manage their work in such regular forms, 

 One would think they fores atv all the frosts and the storms, 



And so brought their food within doors.^ 



And- Smart : 



The sage, industrious Ant, the wisest insect, 

 And best economist of all the field: 

 For when as yet the favorable sun 

 Gives to the genial earth th' enlivening ray, 



All her subterranean avenues. 



And storm-proof cells, with management most meet, 

 And unexampled housewif'ry, she frames; 

 Then to the field she hies, and on her back 

 Burden immense ! brings home the cumbrous corn : 

 Then, many a weary step, and many a strain, 

 And many a grievous groan subdued, at length 

 Up the huge hill she hardly heaves it homo ; 



1 Guardian, No. 156-7. 

 ^ Nat. DispL, i. 128. 



3 Namahl a Namal Circumcidit. — Browne's Pseud. Epid. — Works, 

 ii. 531. 



* Poems : Solomon. 

 5 Hymns : The Emmet. 



14 



