THE DRIVER ANT. 279 



First, a single Ant clung tightly to a branch, and then a second 

 insect crawled cautiously down its suspended body, and hung to 

 its long, outstretched limbs. Others followed in rapid succession, 

 until they had formed a canplete chain of Ants, which swung 

 about in the wind. One of the largest workers then took its 

 stand immediately below the chain, held firmly to the branch 

 with its hind ' limbs, and dexterously caught with its fore -legs 

 the end of the Hving chain as it swung past. The ladder was 

 thus completed, and fixed ready for the transit of insects; and. 

 in a similar way, the whole tree was covered with festoons of. 

 Ants, until it was blackened with their sable bodies. 



They can even cross streams by means of these ladders. 

 Crawling to the end of a bough which overhangs the water, they 

 form themselves into a living chain, and add to its length until 

 the lowermost reaches the water. The long, wide spread-limbs 

 of the insect can sustain it upon the water, especially when 

 aided by its hold on the suspended comrade above. 



Ant after Ant pushes forward, and the floating portion of the 

 chain is thus lengthened, until the free end is swept by the 

 stream against the opposite bank. The Ant which forms the 

 extremity of the chain then clings to a stick, stone, or root, and 

 grasps it so firmly, that the chain is held tightly, and the Ants 

 can pass over their companions as over a suspension bridge. In 

 the illustration a column of Driver Ants is shown on the march. 

 The vanguaiKl of the column has crossed the stream by means of 

 the living ladder, which is seen suspended from a branch, and 

 extended across the water. The fragile tube which they build 

 is also shown, and a few of the larger architects are drawn of 

 the natural size. The smaller specimens will not emerge from 

 the tunnel. 



In Dr. Livingstone's well-known work, there are several 

 interesting accounts of ants and their habits, and one anecdote 

 bears so aptly on the subject, that I give it in the writer's own 

 words. 



After describing the terrible drought at Chonuane, when the 

 river Kolobay ran dry and the fish perished, when the crocodile 

 himself was stranded and died, and the native trees could not 



