100 ON THE GEOGRAPHY OF ANIMALS. 
continent ; where the hot, dry, sandy plains, so con-. 
genial to the habits of these insects, occupy such a large 
portion of the surface. Similar deserts occur in Asia, 
from whence have issued forth armies of locusts nearly 
as formidable. 
(140.) The myriads of ants, which swarm in_ 
Western Africa, no less than in tropical America, can 
scarcely be conceived by those who have never visited 
these countries. ‘‘ Those of Africa,’ Mr. Smeathman 
continues, ‘‘ are of numerous species, but all seem intent 
on removing from the face of nature every animal or 
vegetable substance no longer necessary or useful. Like 
the destroying angel, they walk steadily forward in the 
path ordained them, sparing neither magnitude nor 
beauty, neither the living nor the dead. One species, 
which seems at times to have no fixed habitation, 
ranges about in vast armies. By being furnished with 
very strong jaws, they can attack whatever animal im- 
pedes their progress ; and there is no escape but by im- 
mediate flight, or instant retreat to the water.” The 
inhabitants of the negro villages, as Mr. Smeathman as- 
sures us he has himself witnessed, are frequently obliged to 
abandon their dwellings, taking with them their children, 
&c., and wait until the ants have passed. Besides these 
ants, nearly twenty other species are known, of different 
sizes and colours, each possessing peculiar habits. Some 
attack the collections of the botanist; and, in spite of 
weights laid upon his books of dried plants, get in, 
cut the leaves and flowers to pieces, and carry them 
away. Others attack all sorts of victuals. Mr. Smeath- 
man has had four large sugar dishes emptied in one 
night, whenever the least opening has been left or 
made. Some assail the sideboard, and cover every 
glass that has had wine or punch left in it. Nay, in- 
numerable multitudes frequently ascend the table, and 
drown themselves in the very bowls and vessels before 
you.” * ‘To this animated entomological picture we 
attach the most implicit confidence, inasmuch as, had 
* Pref. to Drury’s Insects, vol. iii. 
