ANIMAL KINGDOM. 139 



domestic animals from their attacks; in fact, the inhabitants 

 sometimes find it the wisest plan to surrender at discretion, 

 evacuate the premises, and leave them to the salutary plun- 

 dering of these marauders, who, after making a thorough clearance 

 of all vermin, beat an orderly retreat ; after this, the inmates may 

 safely re-enter, and for some time will be freed from their former 

 insect annoyances. When the hunter ants meet with a hollow, or a 

 rillet of water, which affords the primary element of a bridge in a 

 blade of grass, or any other slip, they immediately contrive a con- 

 struction to cross the same in the following manner : a few of 

 them take a strong hold on the bank ; others come forward, and 

 are firmly held by the former by the hind legs ; fresh volunteers 

 are attached in like manner by the latter, until a sufficient number 

 has formed a kind of chain or suspension bridge, so as to reach 

 the opposite bank. As, however, this living bridge may have 

 swerved from its direct course, or be slack, those which have 

 reached the other side give a tight strain, so as to restore the 

 original line, and render it a level floor ; the bridge is also ren- 

 dered stronger by fresh ants forming, as it were, two or three 

 floorings, one over the other. It would seem that they manage, by 

 regular reinforcements, to relieve those that have been primarily 

 engaged in forming the bridge, without interfering with its solidity. 

 When the whole tribe has crossed over, the bridge is broken up 

 by a process reverse to that which had prevailed in its formation. 



The parasol-ants are very common in the island, and in such 

 numbers in some districts as to discourage cultivators. Is the 

 parasol-ant the Atta cephalotes of Fabricius ? I am inclined to 

 admit this ; however, it does not sting, but has strong serrated 

 mandibles. There are three distinct species, one very small, which 

 deserves no peculiar notice, and two others, which may be called 

 the dark and the red ; and not only do they differ in colour, but 

 in size, their habits also being somewhat different. The dark 

 parasol-ant is smaller, particularly the female ; it prefers inhabited 

 places, and builds its nest in walls, under the roots of trees, and 

 among rubbish ; these nests are never very large. They do not 

 venture out, generally, during the day, but after sun-set. With 

 great apparent cunning, when aware of any danger, they remain 

 quite still, and sometimes drop down motionless ; they seem also 

 to be more delicate as regards the choice of their food. The red 

 parasol-ants are larger in size ; they never build in walls, but in 



