Grasshoppers Locusts, Etc. 241 



36. Ants come forth in myriads about the 

 first of April. Four or five months of the year 

 that the Ant is supposed to live, some kinds 

 spend in a torpid state. 



37. Battles are sometimes fought between the different 

 families or tribes, desperate battles, too; for although of 

 a peaceful nature, they will not submit to imposition. 

 Some are very thievish and do not stop with stealing the 

 food of a neighboring tribe, but they seize also their eggs 

 or their young ones, and carry them into captivity to 

 become slaves to them. Then the injured Ants levy war. 

 They form themselves into companies, battalions, and 

 divisions, and station sentinels as soldiers do. Army 

 meets army, they fight bravely and desperately ; they kill 

 and wound each other, punish spies and deserters, carry 

 off prisoners and spoils, and when the battle is over they 

 take care of the sick and wounded. 



38. The GRASSHOPPER is of the same order 

 of Insects as the Locust, Cricket and Katydid, 

 having long bodies, four wings, and three pairs 

 of legs. Their food is grass and the leaves of 

 plants. 



39. Grasshoppers are of great variety ; some 

 /are green, some black, and some variegated. 



Some make a chirping sound and some are 

 always silent. 



40. Their hind legs are much longer and stronger than 

 the others, and are admirably fitted for jumping or 

 leaping. 



