410 HABITS OF ANTS. 



domicile out of a large leaf, bending the two halves by 

 the weight of united millions, till the opposite margins 

 meet at the under surface of the midrib, where they are 

 secured by a gummy matter. The stores and larvae are 

 conveyed into this arboreal home by regular beaten 

 tracks, along the trunk and branches of the tree. 



On the banks of the Linga, the trees are covered with 

 black-coloured nests built by an insect of a red colour 

 and of large size. These aerial habitacula are formed of 

 prepared vegetable matter, mixed with a tenacious 

 secretion, and peopled with inhabitants furnished with a 

 most tormenting sting. 



In many parts of Borneo, there is a shining black Ant 

 about the sixth of an inch long, whose habits are 

 altogether nocturnal. During the day, it remains con- 

 cealed within its subterranean galleries; but as the night 

 advances, it covers the ground in moist and sheltered 

 places with its myriad hordes. Its sting is very severe, 

 though the pain and irritation soon pass away. 



The habitations of those ingenious little architects, the 

 Termites, or white Ants, have been often mentioned by tra- 

 vellers. One species occurring among these islands builds its 

 city of finely-comminuted leaves and mud, forming a huge 

 hemispherical nest on the trunks of trees. The interior 

 consists of myriads of cancetti, separated by walls and 

 passages, which are all thronged by the tiny soft-bodied 

 inhabitants. On being disturbed, the big-headed soldiers 

 make absurd and impotent attempts to defend their 

 Queen and helpless workers, who immediately retire 

 within the recesses of the city. Seen from a little 

 distance, this arboreal insect-metropolis looks like an 



