THE ANT. 



Behaviour of the soldiers when attacked. 



come that solid clav or stone, of which their 

 hills, and every apartment of their buildings, ex- 

 cept the nurseries, are composed. Other galle- 

 ries ascend and lead out horizontally on every 

 side, and are carried under ground, but near the 

 surface, to great distances, for the purpose of 

 foraging. 



As soon as a breach is made in one of the 

 walls by an ax, or other instrument, the first ob- 

 ject that attracts attention is the behaviour of 

 the soldiers or fighting insects. Immediately 

 after the blow is given, a soldier comes out, 

 walks about the breach, and seems to examine 

 the naiure of the enemy, or the cause of the at- 

 tack. He then gets into the hill, gives the 

 alarm, and, in a short time, large bodies rush out 

 as fast as the breach will permit. It is not easy 

 to describe the fury that actuates these fighting 

 insects. In their eagerness to repel the enemy, 

 they frequently tumble down the sides of the 

 hill, but recover themselves very quickly, and 

 bite every thing they encounter. This biting, 

 joined to the striking of their forceps upon the 

 building, makes a crackling or vibrating noise, 

 which is somewhat shriller and quicker than the 

 ticking of a watch, and may be heard at the dis- 

 tance of several feet. While the attack pro- 

 ceeds, they are in the most violent bustle and 

 agitation. If they get hold of any part of a 

 man's body, they instantly make a wound which 

 gives some pain. When they attack the leg the 



