162 EDGE OF THE JUNGLE 
wind frustrates them, for they cannot reef, 
When a gale arises and sweeps an exposed por- 
tion of the trail, their only resource is to cut 
away all sail and heave it overboard. A sudden 
downpour reduces a thousand banners and wav- 
ing, bright-colored petals to débris, to be trod- 
den under foot. Sometimes, after a ten-minute 
storm, the trails will be carpeted with thousands 
of bits of green mosaic, which the outgoing hordes 
will trample in their search for more leaves. On 
a dark night little seems to be done; but at dawn: 
and dusk, and in the moonlight or clear star- 
light, the greatest activity is manifest. 
Attas are such unpalatable creatures that they 
are singularly free from dangers. There is a 
tacit armistice between them and the other labor- 
unions. The army ants occasionally make use 
of their trails when they are deserted; but when 
the two great races of ants meet, each antennes 
the aura of the other, and turns respectfully 
aside. When termites wish to traverse an Atta 
trail, they burrow beneath it, or build a covered 
causeway across, through which they pass and 
repass at will, and over which the Attas trudge, 
uncaring and unconscious of its significance. 
Only creatures with the toughtest of diges- 
