522 THE ANT. 



The ants nefl is in faft a fmall well regulated common- 

 wealth, refembling in many refpeds that of the bees. 

 Like them, they are continually employed in labour, and 

 have a large proportion of the citizens neuters, whofe 

 fole employment, like that of the working bees, is col- 

 lefting food for the fociety. The males and females have 

 wings, and feem deflined for higher enjoyments, as well 

 as more noble occupations. Their operations are all 

 conduced in peace, union, and good underftanding ; 

 though, if we are to credit the wife man as a naturalift, 

 they have no guide, overfeer, or ruler *. 



When they have chofen their ground for forming an 

 eftablifliment, which is generally fome dry and funny ex- 

 pofure, all are employed in digging their retreat, to the 

 depth of about a foot or more ; They feem to take 

 neither reft nor food till it is completed ; and to prevent 

 diforder or confufion, their police ailigns to every one his 

 talk. While one loofens the earth, another carries it 

 away, and is met by others returning for a new load. 



Within this hollow cave, when formed, thefe infed^s 

 all live in fociety, and Ihelter themfelves from the feveri- 

 ty of winter. Even after the editice is conftrufted, there 

 33 not a day allotted for reft, fo long as the weather will 

 permit them to go abroad. They are continually wan- 

 dering about in queft of food, and carry all day each his 

 burden into the neft. Should one chance to meet with a 

 booty which is too large for him to remove, he is foon 

 perceived by the reft, v/ho come in legions to gnaw it 

 into fmalier pieces, or to affift in rolling along the un- 

 wieldy 



• Vide Solomon, Prov. clisp. vl. 9. Go to the ant thou fluggard, con- 

 fiJer her ways, and be wife ; which having no guide, overfeer, or ruler, 

 provideth her meat in the fumnier, &;c. 



