DRIVER ANTS. 473 



on the outside. These balls are much lighter . than water, and 

 consequently float on the surface until the floods retire, and the 

 insects can resume their place on dry land. 



The size of the ant-balls is various ; but they are, on an average, 

 as large as a full-sized cricket-ball. One of these curious balls 

 was cleverly caught in a handkerchief, put in a vessel, and sent to 

 Mr. P. Smith, of the British Museum, who has kindly presented 

 me with several specimens of the insect. 



When a colony of these insects has been established near a 

 house, the inhabitants naturally endeavor to destroy it. The 

 habitation is very simple and artless, and generally consists of a 

 mere hole in a rock or bank, in which the ci-eatures assemble. 

 They are very fond of usurping the sepulchres of the dead, which 

 are usually excavated in the sides of hills, and are about eighteen 

 inches in depth. 



The natives generally try to destroy the colony by heaping dry 

 leaves of the palm upon the dwelling, and setting fire to the heap. 

 When this plan was tried, it was found to be very unsatisfactory ; 

 for the greater mass of the insects contrived to make their escape, 

 and were found upon the neighboring trees, clinging in heavy 

 bunches and long festoons, which connected one branch with 

 another, and formed ladders over which the insects could pass. 

 These festoons were made in a very curious manner. 



First, a single Ant clung tightly to a branch, and then a second 

 insect crawled cautiously down its' suspended body, and hung to 

 its long, outstretched limbs. Others followed in rapid succession, 

 until they had formed a complete chain of Ants, which swung 

 about in the wind. One of the largest workers then took its stand 

 immediately below the chain, held firmly to the branch with its 

 hind limbs, and dexterously caught with its fore legs the end of 

 the living chain as it swung past. The ladder was thus com- 

 pleted, and fixed ready for the transit of insects ; and, in a similar 

 way, the whole tree was covered with festoons of Ants, until it 

 was blackened with their sable bodies. 



They can even cross streams by means of these ladders. 

 Crawling to the end of a bough which overhangs the water, they 

 form themselves into a living chain, and add to its length until 

 the lowermost reaches the water. The long, wide-spread limbs 

 of the insect can sustain it upon the water, especially when aided 

 by its hold on the suspended comrade above. 



Ant after Ant pushes forward, and the floating portion of the 



