386 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



mor as hard as orab-shells, and will endure almost any amount 

 of violence, while some are as round, as plump, as thin-skinned, 

 and as juicy as over-ripe gooseberries, and collapse almost with a 

 touch. There are great flying insects which always make for the 

 light, and, unless it is defended by glass, will either put it out, or 

 will singe their wings and spin about on the table in a manner 

 that is by no means agreeable. The smaller insects get into the 

 inkstand and fill it with their tiny carcasses, while others run 

 over the paper and smear every letter as it is made. There are 

 great centipedes, which are legitimate cause of dread, being armed 

 with poison-fangs scarcely less venomous than those of the viper. 

 There are always plenty of scorpions ; while the chief army is 

 composed of cockroaches, of dimensions, appetite, and odor such 

 as we can hardly conceive in this favored land. As to the liz- 

 ards, snakes, and other reptiles, they are so common as almost to 

 escape attention. ^ 



For a time these usurpers reign supreme. Now and then a 

 few dozen are destroyed in a raid, or a person of sanguine tem- 

 perament amuses his leisure hours and improves his marksman- 

 ship by picking off the more prominent intruders with a saloon 

 pistol; but the vacancies are soon filled up, and no permanent 

 benefit is obtained. But when the Foraging Ants make their 

 appearance, the case is altered, for there is nothing that with- 

 stands their assault. As soon as the pittas are seen approaching, 

 the inhabitants throw open every box and dra'wer in the house, 

 so as to allow the ants access into every crevice, and then retire 

 from the premises. 



Presently the vanguard of the column approaches, a few scouts 

 precede the general body, and seem to inspect the premises, and 

 ascertain whether they are worth a search. The long column 

 then pours in, and is soon dispersed over the house. The scene 

 that then ensues is described as most singular. The ants pene- 

 trate into the comers, peer into each crevice, and speedily haul 

 out any unfortunate creature that is lurking therein. Great 

 cockroaches are dragged unwillingly away, being pulled in front 

 by four or five ants, and pushed from behind by as many more. 

 The rats and mice speedUy succumb to the onslaught of their 

 myriad foes, the snakes and lizards fare no better, and even the 

 formidable weapons of the scorpion and centipede are overcome 

 by their pertinacious foes. 



In a wonderfully short time the Foraging Ants have completed 



