218 NATtiRAtiST's CABINET. 



Some with .slings and some without. 



CHAP. VII. 



" Go to the ant, thou sluggard, consider her wajs 

 and be wise which, having no guide, overseer, or 

 ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth 

 her food in the harvest." 



PROVERBS, ch. vi. 



THE ANT. 



THE common ants of Europe are of two or 

 three sorts ; some red, some black, some with 

 stings, and others without. Such as have stings, 

 inflict their wounds in the usual manner; such as 

 are unprovided with these weapons of defence, 

 have a power of spurting, from their hinder parts, 

 an acid pungent liquor, which if it light upon 

 the skin, inflames and burns it like nettles. 



The body of this insect is divided into the 

 head, breast, and belly. In the head the eyes 

 are placed, which are entirely black, and under 

 the eyes there are two small horns, or feelers, 

 composed of twelve joints, all covered with a fine 

 silky hair. The mouth is furnished with two 

 crooked jaws,, which project outwards, in each of 



