1770 ANTS 303 



which we have very little reason to suppose, as we never 

 saw any instrument with them with which a bird could be 

 killed or taken, except their lances, and these must be very 

 improper tools for the purpose. Yet one of our people saw 

 a white cockatoo in their possession, which very bird we 

 looked upon to be one of the wariest of them all. 



Of insects there were but few sorts, and among them 

 only the ants were troublesome to us. Mosquitos, indeed, 

 were in some places tolerably plentiful, but it was our good 

 fortune never to stay any time in such places. The ants, 

 however, made ample amends for the want of the mosquitos ; 

 two sorts in particular, one green as a leaf, and living upon 

 trees, where it built a nest, in size between that of a man's 

 head and his fist, by bending the leaves together, and gluing 

 them with a whitish papery substance which held them 

 firmly together. In doing this their management was most 

 curious : they bend down four leaves broader than a man's 

 hand, and place them in such a direction as they choose. 

 This requires a much larger force than these animals seem 

 capable of; many thousands indeed are employed in the 

 joint work. I have seen as many as could stand by one 

 another, holding down such a leaf, each drawing down with 

 all his might, while others within were employed to fasten 

 the glue. How they had bent it down, I had not an oppor- 

 tunity of seeing, but that it was held down by main strength, 

 I easily proved by disturbing a part of them, on which the 

 leaf, bursting from the rest, returned to its natural situation, 

 and I had an opportunity of trying with my finger the 

 strength that these little animals must have used to get it 

 down. But industrious as they are, their courage, if possible, 

 excels their industry ; if we accidentally shook the branches 

 on which such a nest was hung, thousands would immedi- 

 ately throw themselves down, many of which falling upon 

 us made us sensible of their stings and revengeful disposi- 

 tions, especially if, as was often the case, they got possession 

 of our necks and hair. Their stings were by some esteemed 

 not much less painful than those of a bee ; the pain, how- 

 ever, lasted only a few seconds. 



