306 SCIENTIFIC ILLUSTRATIONS [Rev 



by despots their quiescence is mistaken for extinction. But, 

 like the subterranean fire, the principle of justice is never extin- 

 guished. It may smoulder for a period in darkness, but it is 

 ever aglow in the central heart of humanity ; and at the very 

 moment when tyrants and their myrmidons are congratulating 

 themselves upon the impregnability of the institutions of 

 despotism, it may suddenly startle them from their audacious 

 dream by the eruption of a revolution which will engulf them 

 in a fiery retribution. MAR. 



The Advantages of Revolutions. 



Insect life in tropical America swarms as luxuriously as the 

 vegetation ; and there are many insects, which, however useful 

 in their own place, are apt to get into houses, and there 

 multiply to such an extent that they become a real plague, and 

 nearly drive the inhabitants out of their own houses. There 

 are insects that bite, insects that suck, insects that scratch, 

 insects that sting, and many that are remarkable for giving out 

 a most horrible odour. There are great centipedes, and always 

 plenty of scorpions, whilst lizards, snakes, and other reptiles 

 are so common as almost to escape attention. For a time these 

 usurpers reign supreme. But when the foraging ants make 

 their appearance, the case is altered, for there is nothing that 

 withstands their assault. The inhabitants throw open every 

 box and drawer in the house, so as to allow the ants access 

 into every crevice, and then retire from the premises. (The 

 presence of these insects may be always known by the numbers 

 of pittas or ant-thrushes, which feed much upon them, and 

 which are sure to accompany a column of foraging ants on the 

 march.) Presently the vanguard of the column approaches, a 

 few scouts precede the general body, and seem to inspect the 

 premises, and ascertain whether they are worth a search. The 

 long column then pours in, and is soon dispersed over the 

 house. The ants penetrate into the corners, peer into each 

 crevice, and speedily haul out any unfortunate creature that is 

 lurking therein. Great cockroaches are dragged unwillingly 

 away, being pulled in front by four or five ants, and pushed 



