ANIMAL KINGDOM. 141 



sure, but thick walls are left between the chambers ; a commu- 

 nication, as has been observed, is also established between them, 

 with a common passage or outlet, which serves mainly for the dis- 

 charge of all impurities, and SQ constructed as not to interfere with 

 the regular operations of the township, or be a nuisance to the 

 population; in case of inundation, likewise, the water is drained 

 off through the same sewer. So much for the ingenuity and in- 

 dustry of the parasol-ants. 



The females are nearly three-quarters of an inch long in the 

 larger species ; the labourers vary in size, from one-eighth to two- 

 thirds of an inch. The larger ants seldom go out to forage, and in all 

 such cases never carry their share of the provender, but they seem 

 to act as inspectors to enforce order and rebuke laziness : their 

 principal office, however, seems to be the protection of the town- 

 ship ; for the moment any stranger disturbs the fortification, these 

 garrison soldiers come out in large numbers, with their mandibles 

 open, and ready for action. 



The parasol-ants do not sting, but bite ; their mandibles are 

 like two small saws ending in a sharp point, and which serve to 

 cut or carve out small portions of the leaves which constitute 

 their food ; in the same manner they incise the skin, so as to 

 draw blood. These ants venture out after sunset, generally, 

 although during rainy days they come out earlier, and in the 

 morning also, keeping in their nest during the heat of the day. 

 The roads which lead from the nest to the plants they attack are 

 from four to six inches wide ; all grasses are cut close to the 

 ground, and every particle of vegetation, as also small gravel, is 

 removed, so that the road remains clear, and perfectly free from 

 all obstacles. Myriads of the parasol-ants traverse these roads 

 at night in search of food ; two or more trees may be attacked 

 at the same time, and a branch-road leads to each. The parasol- 

 ants feeds in preference on certain particular plants as the 

 orange tree, the manioc, the yam, the young cacao and gene- 

 rally are found to select the most delicate herbage : they feed 

 nevertheless on almost any others, whenever those they prefer 

 are not within reach excepting, however, strongly aromatic 

 plants, such as the pimento, the cinnamon, &c. ; they also select 

 soft rather than coriaceous leaves, and climb to the top of high 

 trees to get at the young and tender leaflets. When arrived 

 at an eligible spot for foraging, they set to work immediately, 



