NATURAL HISTORY. 129 



CONVERSATION XL 



Uncle Philip tells the Children about some 

 other Ants, that are very good Masons, and 

 build Walls and Ceilings; and a Story 

 about a very sensible Ant, which seemed to 

 think a little. 



" GOOD morning, good morning, Uncle Phi- 

 lip ; we have been so much delighted with 

 the stories about the white ants, that we hope 

 you have more of the same kind to tell us." 



" Why, as to that matter, boys, I can tell 

 you much more about ants, for there are many 

 kinds of them ; but I am not sure that I can 

 show you any of the tools with which they 

 work, though a large portion of their work 

 is like that of man ; and they have, too, sev- 

 eral customs which our fellow-creatures have. 

 I can tell you, however, of several other 

 animals which do use tools shaped like those 

 used by men, if you would rather hear of 

 them." 



