332 CURIOUS CREATURES. 



There is a curious legend, that if a Scorpion is sur- 

 rounded by fire, so that it cannot escape, it will commit 

 suicide by stinging itself to death. 



THE ANT. 



No one would credit the industrious Ant, whose ways 

 we are told to consider, and gather wisdom therefrom, 

 was avaricious and lustful after gold ; but it seems it 

 was even so, at least, in Pliny's time ; but then they were 

 abnormally large : " The horns of an Indian Ant, sus- 

 pended in the temple of Hercules at Erythrae (Ritri) 

 have been looked upon as quite miraculous for their size. 

 This ant excavates gold from holes, in a country to the 

 north of India, the inhabitants of which are known as 

 the Dardae. It has the colour of a cat, and is in size 

 as large as an Egyptian wolf. This gold, which it ex- 

 tracts in the winter, is taken by the Indians during the 

 heats of summer, while the Ants are compelled, by the 

 excessive warmth, to hide themselves in their holes. 

 Still, however, on being aroused by catching the scent 

 of the Indians, they sally forth, and frequently tear them 

 to pieces, though provided with the swiftest Camels for 

 the purpose of flight ; so great is their fleetness, com- 

 bined with their ferocity, and their passion for gold ! " 



THE BEE. 



The Busy Bee, too, according to Olaus Magnus, de- 

 veloped, in the regions of the North, a peculiarity to 

 which it seems a stranger with us, but which might 

 be encouraged, with beneficial effect, by the Temperance 

 Societies. 



