EQUINOCTIAL AFRICA.— ANTS. 101 
Mr. Smeathman, in describing the ravages of the ants 
of Western Africa, written his account for those of tro- 
pical America, he could not have more accurately or 
more forcibly depicted their habits. This observation, 
however, cannot apply to the wandering species he first 
describes, since, although there is one particular ant in 
Brazil of a gigantic size, its habits are altogether so- 
litary ; at least, we never found it otherwise than singly, 
wandering about sandy plains. 
(141.) The nests of the white ants— peculiar, ap- 
parently, to Senegal and this part of Africa—form a 
~ singular feature in its 
scenery: they rise up 
from the plains in the 
shape of sugar-loaves 
( fig. 42.), but of such 
| a height as to appear 
) like the villages of the 
) natives; and are so 
* firmly constructed, 
that they bear, with ease, the weight of three or four 
men. Other races (like some in South America) build 
their nests on trees, of an oval form; while those of 
another species ( 7’. ada) are cylindrical, nearly three feet 
high, the top terminated by a round vaulted dome, and 
surrounded by a prominent terrace, — the whole not 
unlike the shape of a young mushroom. 
(142.) Without entering farther into the details of 
African entomology, it will be sufficient to observe, that 
nearly all the species, and many of the genera, are 
totally unknown in such parts of the continent as border 
upon Asia or the Mediterranean ; while not even one 
may be safely affirmed to inhabit the opposite coast of 
America. The scorpions and other noxious insects are of 
a, terrific size, and of a most poisonous nature.’ The na- 
tives appear to prize, and even domesticate, the land crabs, 
which they keep in fenced yards, as we take care of fowls. 
(143.) On the Mollusca, or shell-fish, we have 
been furnished with some valuable information by 
Bo 
