450 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



be true or not, Dr. Savage cannot say ; but it is here given in 

 Older to show the extreme awe in which the natives hold the 

 Driver Ants. 



So completely is the dread of them on every living creature, 

 that on their approach whole villages are deserted, and in ex- 

 treme cases the entire population is forced to take to the rivers, 

 knowing that the insects will not enter water unless obliged 

 to do so ; although on occasions they do not hesitate to commit 

 themselves to the waves, as wiU presently be seen. 



The order of their marching is very curious, and is well 

 described by Dr. Savage : — 



" Their sallies are made in cloudy days, and in the night, 

 chiefly in the latter. This is owing to the uncongenial influence 

 of the sun, an exposure to the direct rays of which, especially 

 when the power is increased by reflection, is almost instan- 

 taneously fatal. If they should be detained abroad till late in 

 the morning of a sunny day by the quantity of their prey, they 

 Vill construct arches over their path, of dirt agglutinated by a 

 fluid excreted from their moutL If their way should run under 

 thick grass, sticks, &c., affording sufficient shelter, the arch is 

 dispensed with ; if not, so much dirt is added as is necessary to 

 eke out the arch in connexion with them. In the rainy season, 

 or in a succession of cloudy days, the arch is seldom visible ; 

 their path, however, is very distinct, presenting a beaten appear- 

 ance, and freedom from everything moveable. 



" They are evidently economists in time and labour ; for 

 if a crevice, fissure in the ground, passage under stones, &c., 

 come in their way, they will adopt them as a substitute for the 

 arch. 



" In cloudy days, when on their predatory excursions, or mi- 

 grating, an arch for" the protection of the workers is constructed 

 of the bodies of their largest class. Their widely-extended jaws, 

 long slender limbs, and projecting antennae, intertwining, form a 

 sort of network, that seems to answer well their object. When- 

 ever an alarm is ^ven, the arch is instantly broken, and the 

 ants, joining others of the same class on the outside of the line, 

 who seem to be acting as commanders, guides, and scouts, run 

 about in a furious manner, in pursuit of the enemy. If the 

 alarm should prove to be without foundation, the victory won, or 

 danger passed, the arch is quickly renewed, and the main column 



