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THE ANT, 



Has a large head, with pointed, equal antennae ; the 

 mouth with large jaws, and four unequal feelers ; thorax 

 narrow behind, and furnished with an upright scale; 

 abdomen roundish; males and females winged; neutrals 

 not: females and neutrals furnished with a concealed 

 sting. There are many species of this genus, differing in 

 size, colour, and detail of manners. They all live like the 

 bees, &c. in societies, composed of a few males and 

 females, and a multitude of labourers, who perform the 

 offices of builders, foragers, nurses, guards, warriors, &c. 

 Some Ants construct hillocks, externally a confused heap 

 of straw, &c.; but admirably arranged within, into apart- 

 ments, store-rooms, galleries, &c. Others excavate trees 

 and dry timber, forming story above story, with corridors, 

 galleries, large apartments, all with slightly concave roofs, 

 the partitions of which are admirably delicate and fine. 

 Some work as masons, building their habitations of mortar. 



They all take the greatest care of their young; as soon 

 as one of the females has laid an egg, it is taken by one of 

 the labourers in the mouth, and kept moistened there, as 

 if to preserve it from drying. It is soon hatched, and the 

 larva is assiduously tended, being fed from the mouth of 

 its nurses. When full grown, the larva spins a small oval 

 cocoon, white or yellowish in different species ; these, as 

 well as the eggs and larvae, are carried every day to the 

 top of the nest for the sake of the sun's heat ; and, at the 

 proper time, the silken case is opened by one of the 

 attendant ants, by whom the little ant is also assisted in 

 its first use of its complete faculties. The young males and 

 females fly in swarms from the nest as soon as hatched ; 

 some retnrn ; some found new colonies ; but the greater 

 part perish. The Ants appear to have the power of com- 

 municating their wants and wishes, as they do not im- 

 mediately apply themselves to the same exact labours, 

 like many other insects, but appear to suit their undertak- 

 ings to their necessities. They eat a great variety of 

 substances, and are very fond of sweets. This taste leads 

 them to follow the Aphides, whose excrements are quite 

 sweet ; they even keep them near the nests and contrive 

 to induce them, by caressing them with their antennae, to 

 afford them at their need their favourite food. To the 

 same purpose do they apply the Cynips, whose very 



