116 THE NATUEALIST IN BERMUDA. 



slender stem to the thorax, is not uncommon ; but of its 

 habits we know nothing, save that it has a peculiar way 

 of vibrating the aforesaid appendage up and down in a 

 rapid manner. 



The Common Ant (Formica), of the Bermudas swarms in 

 countless myriads throughout the hot season, and makes 

 sad havoc among the naturalist's specimens, during the 

 drying process ; but should a univalve, or crustacean, have 

 to be cleared of its fleshy inhabitant, certain are we that a 

 more sure method- could not be resorted to, than to place 

 the specimen within reach of these never weary scavengers ; 

 but a short time would elapse ere every particle would be 

 consumed, save and except the shelly covering, which, by 

 this simple process, would be prepared for the cabinet. 



The following interesting note, by our friend, Mr. Hurdis, 

 more clearly illustrates the habits of this insect : — 



" Every housekeeper, gardener, and all who deal in arti- 

 cles of food, are keenly alive to the destructive habits of 

 the ant, which infests the Bermudas in legions during the 

 greater portion of the year. Nothing appears to escape 

 their active search; and whether it be meat, milk, sugar, 

 honey, cake, or fruit, the ingenuity of the owner has to be 

 exercised, in order to save the same from utter destruction. 



" There are two species of ants in the Bermudas, one of 

 which is about the size of the common ant of England, and 

 is supposed to be an importation from the West Indies : the 

 other is a much smaller insect, which I have observed only 

 among the islands in the Sound. 



" The ant appears to entertain a natural repugnance to 

 common whale oil, for which reason it is commonly used 

 by the native and other inhabitants as a protection against 



