474 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



chain is thus lengthened, until the free end is swept by the stream 

 against the opposite bank. The Ant which forms the extremity 

 of the chain then clings to a stick, stone, or root, and grasps it so 

 firmly that the chain is held tightly, and the Ants can pass over 

 their companions as over a suspension bridge. In the illustration 

 a column of Driver Ants is shown on the march. The vanguard 

 of the column has crossed the stream by means of the living lad- 

 der, which is seen suspended from a branch, and extended across 

 the water. The fragile tube which they build is also shown, and 

 a few of the larger architects are drawn of the natural size. The 

 smaller specimens will not emerge from the tunnel. 



There. is a species of Ant in Oeylon which makes living bridges 

 in precisely the same manner as the Driver Ant. In Mr. B. Sul- 

 livan's "Bungalow and the Tent" there is the following passage: 

 " I have seen Ants form a bridge from one stick to another. I 

 even saw one leave his companions, who were clustered at the 

 end of a stick, unable to reach another at a short distance, make 

 a considerable circuit, ascend the stick they were aiming at from 

 another direction, and by stretching out his body' as far as possi- 

 ble, enable the pioneer of the main body to reach him, and thus 

 complete the chain of communication, by which the rest immedi- 

 ately crossed. It would be difficult to prove that this was not 

 reason." 



Finding that the comparatively gradual action of fire permitted 

 the active insects to escape before the heat finally reached them. 

 Dr. Savage waited until they had settled in their home, and then 

 poured upon them a few gallons of boiling water, which was in- 

 stantaneously fatal. As for cold water, they seem to care little 

 for it ; having been immersed for twelve hours, and although they 

 were apparently dead when removed, yet they soon recovered 

 themselves, and ran about as lively as ever. Their tenacity of 

 life is indeed wonderful, aind injuries which would immediately 

 kill almost any creature seem to have no immediate effect upon 

 their vigor. Another fact illustrating their tenacity of life may 

 here be stated. 



" The head of one of the largest class, when dissevered from 

 the body, grasped the finger of an attendant so furiously as to 

 cause an immediate flow of blood. It was left in a glass tumbler 

 from three P.M. till the next morning at eight o'clock, when- the 

 finger was again applied, and apparently as severe a wound as 

 before inflicted. Another individual of the same class was de- 



