Marvels of the Universe 



421 



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[/i« Tfieo. Carreras. 

 ANTS TUNNELLING A Uki W A 1 ER-COUKbE. 



These Ants being accustomed to take a certain route, which was liable after rain to be crossed by a stream of water, took the 

 precaution to tunnel this portion and so safeguard themselves against being swept away by a sudden rush of water. 



scavenger's duty allotted to them in Nature's burden : a work they share with the Red, White 

 and Sugar Ants as sextons and sanitary inspectors, checking the spreading of disease in the animal 

 and vegetable kingdom, and adding enormously to the improvement of the soil. 



In Africa, just before the rainy season sets in, it is a common occurrence to see long lines of 

 Driver Ants on the march. They rapidly advance in perfect formation, in lines two to three inches 

 wide, and often extending for nearly a mile, with an organization and military precision that is 

 truly marvellous, as shown by their weU-drilled battalions led by their officers. It is interesting 

 to watch the various sections pass at the double, first a column in close formation, consisting of 

 warrior Ants possessing formidable-looking nippers, led by one or more very large Ants, twice the 

 size of the others ; behind this column follows a mixed mass of smaller Ants. These are the carriers, 

 carrying various loads : some bring eggs, others their young, bits of leaves and sticks, grass, berries, 

 dead bodies of insects, and general goods and chattels from their storehouses and towns. 



AU trot along with a determined swaggering air, as if conscious of their irresistible strength by 

 sheer force of numbers. They tear along, tumbling like a cataract over obstacles, and run over 

 one another or not, as the procession winds in and out of the paths in the forest, looking, especially 

 in the moonlight, like a long black snake unfolding itself from the jungle growth. 



Their sagacity and engineering aptitude are truly remarkable, as is seen by the wonderful tunnels 

 they construct, generally under the exposed portion of the road on their line of march, where there 

 is any danger of a torrent washing down through a sudden downpour of rain. I came across one 



