THE DRIVER ANT, 277 



order to show the extreme awe in which the natives hold the 

 Driver Ants. 



So completely is the dread of them on every living creature, 

 that on their approach whole villages are deserted, and in ex- 

 treme cases the entire population is forced to take to the rivers, 

 knowing that the insects will not enter water unless obliged to 

 do so ; although on occasion they do not hesitate to commit 

 themselves to the waves, as will presently be seen. 



The order of their marching is very curious, and is well 

 described by Dr. Savage : — 



'Their salHes are made in cloudy days, and in the night, 

 chiefly in the latter. This is owing to the uncongenial influence 

 of the sun, an exposure to the direct rays of which, especially 

 when the power is increased by reflection, is almost instan- 

 taneously fatal. If they should be detained abroad till late in 

 the morning of a sunny day by the quantity of their prey, they 

 will construct arches over their path, of dirt agglutinated by a 

 fluid excreted from their mouth. If their way should run under 

 thick grass, sticks, &c., affording sufficient shelter, the arch is 

 dispensed v/ith ; if not, so much dirt is added as is necessary to 

 eke out the arch in connection with them. In the rainy season, 

 or in a succession of cloudy days, the arch is seldom visible ; 

 their path, however, is very distinct, presenting a beaten appear- 

 ance, and freedom from everything moveable. 



'They are evidently economists in time and labour; for 

 if a crevice, fissure in the ground, passage under stones, &c., 

 come in their way, they will adopt them as a substitute for the 

 arch. 



* In cloudy days, when on their predatory excursions, or mi- 

 grating, an arch for the protection of the workers is constructed 

 of the bodies of their largest class. Their widely-extended jaws, 

 long slender limbs, and projecting antennae, intertwining, form a 

 sort of net- work, that seems to answer well their object. When- 

 ever an alarm is given, the arch is instantly broken, and the 

 ants, joining others of the same class on the outside of the line, 

 who seem to be acting as commanders, guides, and scouts, run 

 about in a furious manner, in pursuit of the enemy. If the 



