36C HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



markable for giving out a most liorrible odour. Some of them 

 are cased in armour as hard as crab-shells, and -will endure 

 almost any amount of violence, -while some are as round, as 

 plump, as thin-skinned, and as juicy as over-ripe gooseberries, 

 and collapse almost with a touch. There are great flying insects 

 which always make for the light, and unless it is defended by 

 glass, will either put it out, or wiU singe their wings and spin 

 about on the table in a manner that is by no means agreeable. 

 The smaller insects get into the inkstand and fill it with their 

 tiny carcases, while others run over the paper and smear every 

 letter as it is made. There are great centipedes, which are 

 legitimate cause of dread, being armed with poison fangs 

 scarcely less venomous than those of the viper. There are always 

 ]ilenty of scorpions ; while the chief army is composed of cock- 

 roaches, of dimensions, appetite, and odour such as we can 

 liardly conceive in this favoured land. As to the lizards, snakes, 

 and other reptiles, they are so common as almost to escape 

 attention. 



For a time these usurpers reign supreme. Now and then a 

 few dozen are destroyed in a raid, or a person of sanguine tem- 

 perament amuses his leisure hours, and improves his marksman- 

 ship, by picking off the more prominent intruders with a saloon 

 pistol ; but the vacancies are soon filled up, and no permanent 

 benefit is obtained. But when the Foraging Ants make their 

 appearance, the case is altered, for there is nothing that with- 

 stands their assault. As soon as the pittas are seen approach- 

 ing, the inhabitants throw open every box and drawer in the 

 house, so as to allow the ants access into every crevice, and then 

 retire from the premises. 



Presently the vanguard of the column approaches, a few 

 scouts precede the general body, and seem to inspect the 

 premises, and ascertain whether they are worth a search. The 

 long column then pours in, and is soon dispersed over the house. 

 The scene that then ensues is described as most singular. The 

 ants penetrate into the corners, peer into each crevice, and 

 speedily haul out any unfortunate creature that is lurking thereia 

 Great cockroaches are dragged unwillingly away, being pulled 

 in front by four or five ants, and pushed from behind by as 

 many more. The rats and mice speedily succumb to the on- 

 slaught of tlieir myriad foes, the snakes and lizards fare no 



