148 ANTS AND ANT LIFE. 



away, but they leave them on the road when they have dis- 

 covered their mistake. In the above case the strength of 

 the rufibarbes proved at last so great that the rearguard of 

 the retreating army was seriously pressed, and was obliged 

 to give up its booty. A number of the Amazons also were 

 overpowered and killed, but not without the rufibarbes also 

 losing many people. None the less did some individuals, as 

 though desperate, rush into the thickest hosts of the enemy 

 penetrated again into the nest and carried off several pupas, 

 by sheer audacity and skill. Most of them left their prey 

 to go to the help of their comrades when assailed by the 

 rufibarbes. Ten minutes after the commencement of the 

 retreat all the Amazons had left the nest, and, being swifter 

 than their opponents, they were only pursued for about half 

 way back. Their attack had failed on account of a short 

 delay ! 



On another occasion observed by Forel, in which several 

 fertile Amazons also took part and killed many enemies, the 

 nest was thoroughly ravished, but the retreat was also in 

 this case very much disturbed and harassed by the superior 

 numbers of the enemy. There were many slain on both sides. 

 That in spite of the above-mentioned unanimity different 

 opinions among the members of an expedition sometimes 

 hinder its conduct, the following observation seems to shew : 

 An advancing column divided after it had gone about ten 

 yards from the nest. Half turned back, while the other 

 half went on, but after some time hesitated and also turned 

 back. Arrived at home it found those which had formerly 

 turned back putting themselves in motion in a new difection. 

 The newly returned followed them, and the re-united army, 

 after various wheelings, halts, etc., at last turned home 

 again by a long way round. The whole business looked like 

 a promenade. But apparently different parties had different 

 nests in view, while others were entirely against the expedi- 

 tion. Yet perhaps it was only a march for exercise. 



Outer obstacles do not, as a rule, hinder the Amazons 

 when they are once on the march. Forel saw them wade 

 through some shallow water, although many were drowned 

 in it, and then march over a dusty high road, although the 

 wind blew half of them away. As they returned, booty- 

 laden, neither wind, nor dust, nor water could make them lay 

 down their prey. They only got back with great trouble, 



