1770 ANTS 303 
which we have very little reason to suppose, as we never 
saw any instrument with them with which a bird could be 
killed or taken, except their lances, and these must be very 
improper tools for the purpose. Yet one of our people saw 
a white cockatoo in their possession, which very bird we 
looked upon to be one of the wariest of them all. 
Of insects there were but few sorts, and among them 
only the ants were troublesome to us. Mosquitos, indeed, 
were in some places tolerably plentiful, but it was our good 
fortune never to stay any time in such places. The ants, 
however, made ample amends for the want of the mosquitos ; 
two sorts in particular, one green as a leaf, and living upon 
trees, where it built a nest, in size between that of a man’s 
head and his fist, by bending the leaves together, and gluing 
them with a whitish papery substance which held them 
firmly together. In doing this their management was most 
curious: they bend down four leaves broader than a man’s 
hand, and place them in such a direction as they choose. 
This requires a much larger force than these animals seem 
capable of; many thousands indeed are employed in the 
joint work. I have seen as many as could stand by one 
another, holding down such a leaf, each drawing down with 
all his might, while others within were employed to fasten 
the glue. How they had bent it down, I had not an oppor- 
tunity of seeing, but that it was held down by main strength, 
I easily proved by disturbing a part of them, on which the 
leaf, bursting from the rest, returned to its natural situation, 
and I had an opportunity of trying with my finger the 
strength that these little animals must have used to get it 
down. But industrious as they are, their courage, if possible, 
excels their industry ; if we accidentally shook the branches 
on which such a nest was hung, thousands would immedi- 
ately throw themselves down, many of which falling upon 
us made us sensible of their stings and revengeful disposi- 
tions, especially if, as was often the case, they got possession 
of our necks and hair. Their stings were by some esteemed 
not much less painful than those of a bee; the pain, how- 
ever, lasted only a few seconds. 
