360 THE DRIVERS. 
to diet. Whatever may be its actual purpose in nature's 
economy, it has a good effect whether intended or not, viz., 
to cause an appreciation of the “greenwood tree." After 
living amidst the sage for a year, an elm or an oak becomes 
a wonder, the giant Sequoia of California a miracle. Arbo- 
rescence, which custom has made familiar to us from child- 
hood, becomes suddenly a mystery, and ever afterwards we 
cherish all trees with especial fondness, and are thankful to 
the kind fortune which allots us a home with other sur- 
roundings than the forlorn artemisia. 

THE DRIVERS. 
BY DR. G. A. PERKINS. 

A very few hours’ residence in the tropical regions of 
Africa brings one into a very undesirable familiarity with 
that extensive tribe of insects, the ants, some species of 
which are found in all parts of the world, but which are 
greatly multiplied in the tropical regions of the globe. 
Africa, it is believed, can boast of a greater variety than 
any other land. Their name here is legion. They are 
everywhere; out of doors and in doors; in your food and in 
your bed, determined to share both. They are of all sizes; 
some so small that they pass easily between. the threads of 
common muslin, and even insinuate themselves into your 
watch as it hangs in your chamber; others measure nearly 
an inch in length. The habits and food of the different spe- 
. ies differ greatly. Some, as the Termites, called White 
ants (which however are not true ants, but Neuropterous 
. insects), eat vegetable matter exclusively, destroying OUT - 
. houses, furniture and clothing; others are carnivorous; 
thers feed upon sugar or the sweet juices of plants. ADY 
' the xd petis, found in so great abundance, 





