CHAPTER IV. 
SOCIAL INSECTS —(continued). 
A curious Ant from India—Locality of its nest—Description of the nest— 
Its material and mode of structure—A nocturnal misadventure—The 
Driver Ant of Africa—Description of the insect—Reason for its 
name—Its general habits—Destructive powers of the Driver Ant— 
How the insects devour meat and convey it home—How they kill 
snakes—Native legend of the Python—Their mode of march—Fatal 
effects of the sunbeams—An extemporised arch—Method of escaping 
from floods—Site of their habitation—Modes of destroying them— 
J.iving ladders and their structure—Method of crossing streams— 
Tenacity of life—A decapitated Ant—Mode of biting—Description 
of the insect—Curious nest of a Brazilian Wasp—Weight of the nest 
and method of attachment—Variety of Polistes nest—Polistcs ater- 
rimus and its singular nest—Beautiful structure of an unknown 
Polistes. 
ALTHOUGH several species of Ants may be better classed 
among the burrowing insects, there are many which 
possess very interesting habits, and which may here take 
their place among the creatures which build social habi- 
tations. Among them is a curious insect inhabiting 
India, and discovered by Colonel Sykes, the well- 
known naturalist. 
This insect forms its nest on the branches of trees and 
shrubs, and Colonel Sykes mentions that he has found their 
curious habitation on the branches of the Kurwund shrub, 
and on the Mango-tree. ; 
The nests are more or less spherical, and are about as 
H 
