THE ANT. 229 



First, second, and third orders. 



the most numerous. There are at least a hundred 

 labourers to one of the fighting insects or sol- 

 diers. When in this state, they are about a 

 fourth of an inch in length; which is rather 

 smaller than some of our ants, ; : \ v: 



" The second order, or soldiers, differ in figure 

 from the labourers. These appear to be such 

 insects as have undergone one change toward 

 their perfect state. They are now near half an 

 inch in length, and equal in size to about fifteen 

 of the labourers. The form of the head is like- 

 wise greatly changed. In the labourer state, the 

 mouth is evidently formed for gnawing, or for 

 holding bodies; but, in the soldier state, the 

 jaws, being shaped like two sharp awls a little 

 jagged, are destined solely for piercing or wound- 

 ing. For these purposes they are well calculat- 

 ed, being as hard as a crab's claw, and placed in a 

 strong horny head, which is larger than the rest 

 of the body. 



" The insect of the third order, or in its per- 

 fect state, is still more remarkable. The head, 

 the thorax, and the abdomen, differ almost en- 

 tirely from the same parts in the labourers and 

 soldiers. The animals are besides now furnished 

 with four large brownish transparent wings, by 

 which they are enabled, at the proper season, to 

 emigrate, and to establish new settlements. 

 They are now also greatly altered in their size as 

 well as figure, and have acquired the powers of 

 propagating the species. Their bodies now mea- 



