ANT. | NATURAL HISTORY, 11 
and they gather wheat and reck not of barley, and when 
the wheat is berained, that they gather to heap, then the 
Ants do all the wheat out into the sun, that it may be 
dried again. And it is said that in Ethiopia be Ants 
shap[ed] as hounds, and diggeth up golden gravel with 
their feet, and keep it that it be not taken away. And 
pursueth anon to the death them that take it away. And 
when they be overset in their houses to be taken, then 
shed they venomous water upon men, and that water burneth 
his hand that it toucheth, and breedeth therein itching and 
smarting. For they have that water instead of weapon and 
of armour. In Ind be right great Ants with horns, that 
keep gold and precious stones with wonder covetise and 
desire, but Indians steal them in summer-time when the 
Ants be hid in hills for strong burning heat; but the 
Ants fly after them busily, which take away the gold; 
and wound them after, though they flee the Ants riding 
on swift camels—in them is so wicked fierceness for lust of 
gold. When bears be sick, they seek Ants, and devour them, 
and heal themselves in that wise. But in some case Ants’ eggs 
be medicinable. Bartholomew (Berthelet), bk. xviii. § 53. 
