132 ANTS 



common weal. Truly, although they are a small folk, they are 

 " exceeding wise." 



Another species of ant, which does not appear to construct 

 a nest, but inhabits the crevices and under the bark of trees, 

 is rather conspicuous from a large tuft or cushion of pale 

 brown velvet-like hairs on the upper side of the abdomen, and 

 a smaller one on the thorax. Its eggs and pupae are carefully 

 hidden away under pieces of the bark which have become partly 

 detached. 



On the top of the Ambatovory rock I found another and 

 smaller species of ant, about an eighth of an inch long. This ant 

 inhabits the dried flower-stalk of the vdhona, a small aloe 

 growing plentifully on the shallow soil close to rocks. On 

 breaking in two one of these stalks, the ants and a number of 

 pupae fell out, long white cases, in which the dark body of the im- 

 mature insect could be seen. The little creatures seemed greatly 

 relieved to be able to gather up these precious pupae, and they 

 soon collected them all, and brought them again into their 

 home. On examining the stalk I could see no entrance except 

 a minute hole, like a pinprick, at the top, just below where the 

 head of flowers had blossomed. It seems probable that the ants 

 find food in the pithy interior of these leaf-stalks. 



In passing through the bush or the secondary forest, one 

 frequently sees the leaves of certain bushes withered and folded 

 up together. On opening one of such nests, it proves to be the 

 home of a species of beetle, a very handsome insect, about an 

 inch long, with a long slender thorax, and of a beautiful metallic- 

 purple colour. Enclosed in portions of the leaf are small green 

 caterpillars, and in others are chrysalides. A much smaller 

 beetle is also found in many of these nests. The edges of 

 the leaves appear as if sewn together at different places with 

 fine silk. 



Although butterflies are scarce in these woods in the cold 

 season, caterpillars are numerous. Those making a large silken 

 bag have already been noticed ; but there are others which 

 appear to be just now (in August) in a state of torpor. Here, 

 for instance, is a cluster of a dozen or so of brown caterpillars, 

 all clinging closely together around one another on the top 

 of a small twig. They seem perfectly motionless. Are they 

 hibernating ? Here again is a collection of beautiful little 



