A nts and Butterflies. \ 7 7 



which is current in many parts of the country, has a very 

 delightful passage : 



" What wonder strikes the curious, while he views 

 The black ant's city, by a rotten tree, 

 Or woodland bank ! In ignorance we muse : 

 Pausing annoyed we know not what we see ; 

 Such government and thought there seem to be ; 

 Some looking on, and urging some to toil, 

 Dragging their loads of bent-stalks slavishly : 

 And what's more wonderful, when big loads foil 

 One ant or two to carry, quickly then 

 A swarm flash round to help their fellow-men. 

 Surely they speak a language whisperingly, 

 Too fine for us to hear : and sure their ways 

 Prove they have kings and laws, and that they be 

 Deformld remnants of the fairy-days " 



M 



